Stringybark Reserve Park Masterplan
Lane Cove North
In the spirit of reconciliation, Lane Cove Council acknowledges the Traditional Custodians of the land, the Cameraygal people. We pay our respects to Elders past and present and extend that respect to all Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples today.
Introduction
Site Analysis
Stringybark Reserve, situated just 600 meters from the Lane Cove CBD, is a cherished green space spanning approximately 1 hectare. It serves as an important gateway to the popular Harry Howard Bushwalk. Accessible from multiple entry points—Karilla Ave, Murray, Nundah, and Ralston Streets—this park is favored by local residents for both passive and active recreation. It’s also a popular spot for dog owners.
The park serves a critical function in stormwater management, acting as a primary catchment for Stringybark Creek, which ultimately feeds into the Lane Cove River. In times of heavy rainfall, the park functions as an overflow pathway, supporting the engineered drainage systems in mitigating excess stormwater. This inundation is an expected and integral component of the site’s natural hydrological cycle.
This combination of recreational opportunities and ecological significance makes the park a valuable asset to the community.
Key Project Features and objectives
The revitalisation of Stringybark Reserve focuses on water management, ecological sustainability, and community renewal while celebrating its rich environmental setting. This project aims to achieve the following key outcomes:
• Significant enhancements to the existing children’s playground, including upgraded equipment, seating, and improved accessibility.
• Important upgrades to the community garden.
• New sporting and workout facilities suitable for all ages
• Implementation of water-sensitive urban design to effectively manage ephemeral water flows within this vital portion of the catchment.
• The addition of an accessible toilet facility
• A tree succession plan, including the management of the existing mature trees into the future.
LANE COVE RIVER
Figure 1: Aerial - Stringybark Reserve in the surrounding context
Figure 2: Inset Plan - Stringybark Reserve
Community Consultation
Consultation with community has driven the outcomes of what is being proposed within the Masterplan
Key reasons for visiting the park include;
- Access to the bushwalk
- Playground
- Dog off leash area
- connect to other streets
- Picnic facilities
- Active play (Tennis wall, Basketball Court, Gym)
Subject Community Feedback
Proposed Playground Upgrade
Off-leash dog area and playground
Most were in support of the proposed playground. There were queries to the targeted age group of the new playground equipment.
No objections to keeping the off-leash area, people only emphasised clash between the two areas. Dogs frequently run into the playground and barbeque area. There were some requests for the playground to be fenced.
Proposed Accessible Toilet
Proposed Community Garden
There is a majority support for introducing a toilet facility. Most concerns were of its location within the park. Neighbours to the reserve do not support the introduction of toilet or a building near their property. Others expressed concern towards the impact of visibility and safety in the reserve, as well as matters to the ongoing cleanliness and maintenance aspect.
There was general support for establishment of the community garden. There were concerns about its location in the flood zone and inquiry to whether there is a group to maintain the facility.
Flooding and drainage issues
Ongoing comments about stormwater management, flooding and drainage issues. Suggestions offered to further resolve, e.g. additional pits and more cleaning of pits.
Timing of proposed works
Questions towards the priority of stages and to the timing of when construction of these proposed items will occur.
Existing cricket nets
As the existing cricket nets were not addressed in the draft Masterplan, some members of the community had inquired to its status and had requested for this facility to be retained and upgraded.
Existing
tennis wall and basketball area
A few submissions also inquired to the plans for the existing tennis wall and requested that it remain as is.
Masterplan Response
Overall, the new play equipment will accommodate primary school age children. The swing set proposed will feature two child seats and one basket that seats multiple children. The agility course will provide more challenging play.
It is not recommended to enclose the playground with fencing due to the potential damage to existing large trees. Retaining walls and information screening will be used to reduce the occurrence of dogs running into playground and barbeque area.
The proposed location as shown in the draft masterplan, is the only suitable option due to existing trees, flood prone areas and grade of land. Due to the site constraints, the proposed toilet will remain in the north-east portion of the park.
The community garden has an existing group who will maintain the space. The new garden will be located further upslope from the existing location to alleviate some of the inundation issues.
Water Sensitive Urban Design (WSUD) measures proposed will alleviate some the local drainage issues. Stormwater management relates to the overall upstream catchment and is out of the scope of this Masterplan. The Masterplan will address the fact that an overland flow path drains through the reserve.
Stage One has been revised to include the installation of the WSUD drainage bioswale, playground upgrade and the new community garden. Construction works for Stage One will commence in May of this year (2025). The timeline of the remaining stages will be dependent on available budget.
Cricket nets are not appropriate for a reserve of this size. They require a safe fall zone for cricket balls that escape from the nets. For this reason, cricket nets are more appropriately located around sport fields. It is proposed to remove the cricket nets.
While it is recognised that the tennis wall holds historical and practical significance to the community, it has structural issues that will require its eventual removal. The wall is in a gully where WSUD measures would be most appropriately located. It is proposed to include a new tennis wall as part of the basketball half court.
Masterplan
Staging Plan
• WSUD - Bioswale
• Playground Upgrade
• Community Garden
• Toilet
• Picnic Shelter
• Pathway lighting
3
• WSUD - Raingardens and dry creek beds
• Active Play Facilities
Ongoing Items
• Stormwater Management
• Succession planting for existing mature trees
• Protection of neighbouring bushland
KARILLA
Stage One : WSUD - Drainage Bioswale
(Construction in 2025)
Playground Upgrade
Community Garden
Water Sensitive Urban Design (WSUD) - Bioswale
The integration of a grassed swale with subsurface drainage offers a straightforward yet effective solution for managing excess water on site.
A shallow turf v-drain will be strategically placed along the site’s low point, running from the community garden up to the bushland entry. The swale will direct stormwater during minor rain events, improving the condition of the grassed off-leash dog area.
While this swale enhances the quality of the adjacent turf space, it does not replace the park’s primary function as an overland flow path, channeling stormwater towards Stringybark Creek during more significant rainfall events.
Additional WSUD treatments will be used to address the private drainage entering the Reserve during this first stage.
The future WSUD features (Stage 3) such as raingardens, will connect to the swale to further reduce the impact on the nearby catchment.
Location of proposed bioswale in the park - plan
Location of proposed bioswale in the park - perspective
Example of a turf bioswale
Connection towards existing stormwater pits
Swale to finish before entry to bushwalk
Playground area
Start of bioswale
Future Raingardens
Bioswale Stringybark
Playground Upgrade
The upcoming enhancements to the existing play facilities will introduce a new climbing structure, swing set, and embankment slide, while retaining and refurbishing the current toddler play equipment.
To ensure universal accessibility, an updated footpath will facilitate seamless access to the playground. In addition, new native plantings, walling and informal screening will reinforce the boundary of the playspace, creating a gentle separation and delineation between areas designated for children’s play and those for dogs.
Detail plan of Stringybark Reserve Playground
Community Garden
Council has successfully secured funding for the enhancement of the existing community garden facilities at the reserve. This investment will allow for improvements in storage and accessibility, as well as an expansion of the garden’s footprint to accommodate increasing user interest.
The redesigned garden will feature both raised and inground planting options, raised planters, and a fruit tree.
The new garden will be located further up the slope to reduce the risk of inundation during storm events.
This upgrade aims to serve individuals of all ages and abilities, fostering a stronger sense of community through shared gardening experiences.
Stage Two: Toilet Picnic Shelter
Pathway Lighting
Toilets
The inclusion of toilets was rated highly in both community consultation stages. Council proposes to install one unisex accessible toilet for park users. The aim is to keep the structure to a minimal footprint to reduce the visual obstruction and preserve safety sight-lines.
The toilets must be located near the north-eastern entry to the site, due to the constraints elsewhere; subject to inundation, existing trees, slopes, distance from services and proximity to the playground.
Picnic Shelter
To compliment the existing picnic facilities, a picnic shelter will be installed to accommodate both residents and the Councils Bush Kids program.
Pathway Lighting
The Reserve is also used as an access link between Nundah St and Murray St, commonly for those commuting to and from city. Simple lighting, such as bollards would be integrated along the main footpath to improve the safety of residents passing through. Design considerations would be in place to minimise light spill to neighbours and to nearby habitat, particularly of the bushland.
Location of proposed accessible toilet
Location of proposed accessible toilet - perspective
Stage Three: WSUD - Raingardens
Active Play Facilities
and Dry Creek Beds
Water Sensitive Urban Design
This stage of the project envisions a unique space that harmoniously blends local ecology and hydrology with active play. Currently, the existing court and equipment are situated at the park’s low point, rendering them susceptible to inundation during storm events. Moving the court and tennis wall to accommodate rain gardens at this location will assist in reducing the effect of stormwater flows across the site. By incorporating water-sensitive urban design principles, the project aims to mitigate the effects of stormwater on both the play assets and the broader park area.
Raingarden entry features will be incorporated at the park entries at Ralston, Murray and Nundah Streets, to reinforce the wayfinding signage and support the larger hydrological system.
Additionally, the introduction of new raingardens and bioswales will provide multiple benefits. These features will enable community engagement with the site’s natural ecology, reduce the impact of stormwater inundation—particularly in the active play zones—improve ecological outcomes for the downstream Stringybark Creek catchment, and lessen the damaging effects of flooding within the dog off-leash area.
MURRAY ST
Location of future water sensitive urban design treatments (rain gardens)
Active Play
The current placement of the basketball court and gym facilities at the park’s low point results in frequent inundation during heavy rainfall events. In response, these facilities will be relocated and replaced with new multi-court, tennis wall and gym equipment, in a location better suited to the topography.
This redesign not only enhances the park’s offerings for older age groups, creating a more inclusive and varied play experience for the community, but also provides an opportunity to improve the park’s water-sensitive design. These upgrades will help mitigate the risk of stormwater damage to the facilities, reinforcing the park’s resilience and sustainability.
Specific details of the upgrade, such a colours, type of equipment, exact locations and materiality will be determined during the design phase.
Detail plan of new multi-purpose court, gym area and tennis wall