The makeover of Hamilton’s Gregson Park is a few steps closer with City of Newcastle (CoN) this week unveiling an updated masterplan for the future of the historic site.
In 2020, community members were asked to tell CoN their memories of the park, and their aspirations for its future which has helped inform how the park will be managed and renewed.
“The valuable feedback we received has informed a masterplan for the renewal of Gregson Park that ensures the community’s needs and wants are reflected in future improvements,” Lord Mayor Nuatali Nelmes said.
“We heard that the community wants to see the incorporation of Aboriginal culture, more planting of native species, an upgrade of amenities, improvements to the playspace, creation of spaces for the community to come together, provision for active recreation, and the retention of the existing heritage elements and much-loved fig trees.”
Local historian and author Ruth Cotton welcomed the plans.
“Gregson Park continues to hold a special place in the hearts of Novocastrians and I’m really pleased that the heritage of the park will be retained into the future,” she said.
“I have no doubt that as the plans come to fruition, Gregson Park will remain a historic gem that continues to pay homage to its past.”
The cornerstones of the masterplan include a larger, inclusive playspace in its existing location, a multi-sports activity hub, a community hub to be located on the former Hamilton Bowling Club site, more shaded seating areas, the potential for community gardens and a kiosk, resurfaced tennis courts, more active recreation facilities and upgraded amenities.
It also proposes the realigning of some pathways, the installation of a stormwater retention tank and the removal of the glasshouse building, subject to a heritage assessment.
The plan is to be implemented over the next decade with the playspace, realigning paths, plantings and the community shelter earmarked as short-term priorities to be ticked off over the next five years.
Work on the playspace, featuring nature play, water play and a small yarning circle, is expected to start in 2022.
Long-term priorities include the active recreation area, community gardens and stormwater retention tank.
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