The NSW Government’s Parks for People aims to deliver high-quality, sustainable open space in growing communities, supporting new housing with vibrant, well-connected public places.

Located just north of Appin town centre, the 17-hectare Toggerai Park transforms former pastureland into a vibrant public space featuring walking trails, nature-based play areas, picnic facilities and open green space for the growing local community.

Toggerai Park has been designed to celebrate and enhance its bushland setting, preserving existing vegetation across the site. The nature-based play spaces draw inspiration from the lyrebird, a totem animal of the Dharawal people, recognising the area's Aboriginal heritage and connection to Country.

The park includes a range of spaces for recreation, relaxation and community gatherings, with shaded picnic shelters, barbeques and accessible amenities encouraging visitors to spend time outdoors.

KEY FEATURES OF TOGGERAI PARK INCLUDE:

• one kilometre of walking trails
• pedestrian access from Appin Road and a dedicated car park
• nature-inspired play spaces featuring a lyrebird play structure, flying fox and swings
• shaded picnic areas with barbeques, accessible amenities, and bubblers
• preservation of existing native vegetation across the site.

The Park's design reflects extensive community consultation and celebrates the area's Aboriginal heritage. Its name Toggerai – the Dharawal name for the neighbouring Georges River – and the signature lyrebird play structure recognise the cultural significance of the site and the lyrebird as a totem of the Dharawal people.

Minister for Planning and Public Spaces, Paul Scully said, "As more people choose to call Sydney’s south-west home, we're not only unlocking more homes, but we're also delivering the parks, open spaces and community facilities that make these neighbourhoods great places to live. "Toggerai Park is delivering high-quality green space that this community will enjoy for generations to come."

OTHER PARKS FOR PEOPLE OPEN NOW

George Kendall Riverside Park

George Kendall Riverside Park reopened in October 2024 following a significant investment in improving the 18-hectare parkland. Providing access to high quality public open space and a connection to the Parramatta River, the park serves as a retreat for one of Sydney’s fastest growing regions.

The upgrades include a hilltop lookout, off-leash dog park, a learn to ride space, picnic areas, increased parking and a shared path along the Parramatta River Cycleway. The park also includes a constructed wetland for stormwater management, improving water quality outcomes for the Parramatta River and over 300 new trees for shade.

Nandi Reserve

The upgrade to Nandi Reserve in Frenchs Forest included are over 1.2-kilometres of new pathways, boardwalks and staircases. These blend in with existing trails to protect natural features like waterways, mature trees and wildlife. There is also a nature-inspired playspace along the trails where kids can balance, climb and explore.

Carrawood Park

Carrawood Park is in Carramar, a diverse and vibrant suburb in the Fairfield City Council local government area. It is used for a wide range of recreational activities and is a special place for the local community. Preserving the natural setting and unique assets of the woodland and creek was also a key element of the approach. The park’s stretches of Cumberland Plain Woodlands have inspired new tree planting along major pathways and at the main hubs of activity. This helps create cooler, natural corridors for people to rest and relax as well as improving local ecology.

Tench Reserve

The upgrades to the 10-hectare Tench Reserve provide the community with enhanced facilities that will be enjoyed for many years to come. The wharf precinct provides locals with the only public access to the Nepean River, as well as an amphitheatre that is already being used for events. New riverside paths, a Changing Places amenity, accessible picnic areas and seating, public art and an inclusive playspace have made Tench Reserve a park for all people.

Beaumont Hills

The new park in Beaumont Hills is now open to the public after a multi-million-dollar transformation in close collaboration with The Hills Shire Council, the local community, key stakeholders and experts. For the first time in NSW, a public open space has been built under the Sydney Metro line on Windsor Road. The park includes a pump track, multi-sport court and integrated tree canopies that protect existing Metro infrastructure.

PARKS FOR PEOPLE COMING SOON

Kellyville Centre Park

Kellyville Centre Park will be a lively destination for the whole community, with a strong focus on active, adventure-based spaces for young people.

Located alongside the Kellyville Metro Station, the unique, linear park will provide a fun, relaxing place to gather, move and explore.

KEY DESIGN FEATURES:

• Kellyville Centre Park will embrace and celebrate the natural environment. More than half the space will be dedicated to plants, shade and native trees, giving the park a unique feel, connected to nature
• The design includes a wide range of flexible recreation areas that support everyday activity, casual play and gatherings
• An interconnected network of pathways will connect activity areas throughout the park, making it easy to wander, explore and enjoy
• The design celebrates local heritage and embeds cultural values in line with Connecting with Country principles.

Leppington

Currently under construction after 3 rounds of community engagement, the new park provides 7.6 ha of public open space on Camden Valley Way, not far from Liverpool and Leppington town centres. Additional features include a youth hub with basketball half-court, parking, and an amenities building. There’s plenty of places to play, relax and connect with family and friends including picnic and barbeque areas.

Warrawong Parklands

The NSW Government has released a plan to transform the Warrawong Parklands into a premier waterfront destination for locals and visitors to connect, play, relax and enjoy nature.

KEY DESIGN FEATURES:

• nearly 10-kilometres of new, accessible pedestrian and cycle paths and walking trails
• a 320-metre wetland boardwalk, with panoramic views connecting the east and west side of the parkland
• an Olympic-standard skatepark, upgraded sports field, new inclusive playgrounds, and dedicated nature-play areas
• improved lake access with steps for casual fishing
• flexible spaces for community events, outdoor performances and lakeside dining
• a new accessible paddle board and kayak launch pontoon, which following feedback will be closer to the playground, instead of near the cadet unit and rowing club

To support the Warrawong Parklands, and provide safe public access to Lake Illawarra foreshore, the NSW Government also invested $5-million in the Warrawong Seawall upgrade in the 2025–26 NSW Budget.

Bella Vista District Park

Bella Vista District Park will be a beautiful, green, family-friendly open space for the whole community. Located near the North-West Metro line, the park will provide shaded spaces for nature-based recreation, community gatherings and inclusive, accessible play.

The 3-hectare park will celebrate the site’s original Cumberland Plain Woodland character, restoring and enhancing local biodiversity. It will feature a central community green, an amphitheatre and welcoming places for people to gather, play and enjoy nature.

The community is invited to celebrate the opening at a free Community Day on Saturday 19 July, featuring a fun run, lawn games, children's story time, and food and refreshments.

Images via the NSW Government