Covid countdown - 3 parks in 1: a big new Hornsby Park

 
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I'm sure this used to be called Rosemead Reserve. It's a pretty little picnic spot on the way down to the Great North Walk.

You can walk to lots of places from here.












 

Top bit


Up near the Aquatic Centre is the delightful little park I always knew of as Hornsby Park.

Middle bit: a work in progress


And this is where something amazing seems likely to come together. The (rather scary) mountain bike trails are there already, and work's been underway for a while on renovating the old quarry site into a very spectacular area indeed. (See: Quarry progress) It's all going to be one giant, and hopefully very special, suburban super-park.

Covid countdown - ELS Hall Park in Marsfield

This one was a big surprise. Largely because it's big and complicated, and yet previously undiscovered by me, like so many others in this series.

There are several large sports fields, one using artificial grass, some true grassy parks and playgrounds, a busy dog park, and a big community indoor sports centre.

Covid countdown - Eastwood parks: Jim Walsh Park

I've a theory that the best park in any council area is the one that the Mayor gets to have named after him/herself. That's the story with Peggy Womersley in Carlingford anyway (see: Peggy Womersley Reserve ) I've yet to find out who Jim Walsh was, but he certainly has a good park. It's big, looks great, and has facilities for runners, cyclists, infants and picnickers.






A 'hidden gem' as they say. The ibises liked it too, and were seen to be enjoying a relatively natural habitat in the creek bed, rather than sponging off us and our rubbish bins.

Covid countdown - Eastwood parks: will the real Granny Smith stand up?

Seems that this one's the real Granny Smith orchard site. Ray Park in Carlingford is the site of a second orchard, started 20 years later.




It's all explained on what looks like her gravestone (but actually isn't!)

Covid countdown - Carlingford parks: Ray Park, home of Granny Smith?

I've known little Ray Park for a long time. I'm sure it was promoted as the home of the first Granny Smith orchard. It's got a real live apple tree there to prove it.

 

It turns out it's only the second oldest Granny Smith orchard. Close inspection reveals that it's now conceded the coveted title. They're very proud round here of the Granny's apples connection.

Discovering yet another suburban bushland corridor gem

 Some urban bushwalker I am! I thought I knew all the best bushland corridors through the suburbs. But only yesterday did I learn about the Hunts Creek Reserve, and how you can walk from Carlingford, down through the Kings School, and to Lake Parramatta.

So off I went, and it's a good  little walk!

The Kings School has erected lots of discouraging signs, but there's a very solid right-of-way through their land, so they're best ignored.






















I circumnavigated Lake Parramatta, and then returned by the same route. I can see how this can be combined with the Darling Mills Creek track, and the amazing Northmead Dam, for a rather good round trip one day.




Here's Lake Parramatta Dam.

Covid countdown - Carlingford parks: John Wearn Reserve & Rainbow Farm Reserve

What's happening here? That's a good question. I turned up for my first ever inspection of John Wearn Reserve, and found not a conventional suburban park, but a massive construction site. Something amazing looks to be happening here!

Up the road at Rainbow Farm, it's all still looking more old-school. A nice green patch.