Blackheath Soldiers Memorial Park: Legacy Project

The initial work has involved removing a large amount of debris and weeds from the pond that has accumulated over many years (approximately 550 cubic metres of material). Importantly, there will be a large amount of reusable, nutrient rich material removed from the pond that can be re-used on site.

Visitors may notice that this material is currently being dried out on the lawns near the pool. This is necessary to ensure the material dries and is well aerated so that it can be reused on site and to avoid placing it where it may put pressure on important tree roots. Any turf that is effected by this process will be restored at the end of the project.

This is the first step towards delivering a lovely, clean and healthy duck pond and allows the following improvements to then be made:

• Changes to the pond shape and edges to improve water quality and habitat
• Safer pond edges and improved sight lines into the pond.
• A new accessible loop path around the pond.
• Replacing the existing barbeque shelter with a new and accessible one.
• Relocating the arch swings as part of the associated play space upgrade.

Throughout the upgrade process, local ecologists have been appointed to oversee the management of wildlife that uses the pond. While most wildlife can be relocated into Popes Glen the turtles, which need ponds, will be relocated to the ponds in the nearby Rhododendron Gardens.

The island in the duck pond has been demolished and a new island will be constructed in a better location for water flow and water quality.

The old island was constructed with logs and tyres and was obviously a non-original addition to the pond. If you have any photos, or oral history of when this island was installed, we would love to hear from you!

As with the playspace work, the upgrade to the duck pond is scheduled to be finished by the end of September, as we start to head into the warmer months of the year.

Thank you to everyone who provided feedback on the draft play space designs for Blackheath Soldiers Memorial Park. A summary of the community’s responses has been finalised and is now available.

Overall the draft design was supported by the community. The feedback and comments received will now help to shape the detailed design, and the review of environmental factors will also take place.

We anticipate work on the new play space will commence in the first quarter of next year. We look forward to sharing more about the project as it continues to develop.

SURVEY NOW CLOSED.

TAKE THE SURVEY - new play space designs for Blackheath Soldiers Memorial Park

Draft designs for the new play space at Blackheath Soldiers Memorial Park are now available for community review and feedback.

To view and have your say on the draft designs, take part in the online survey by Monday, 7 November 2022 here.

Or, visit us at an information stall being held in Blackheath Village Centre (near the Friendly Grocer, 14-16 Govetts Leap Road) on Thursday, 3 November: 10am - 1pm.

Based on feedback received from the community in March this year, the draft designs show a range of exciting new play equipment including water play fed by the springs on site, linked spaces, and a focus on providing an accessible park that embraces the needs of as many children, carers and families as possible.

View the draft design here.

Then

Complete the online survey.

August 2022

SURVEY CLOSED

Preparations for the upgrade of the duck pond at Blackheath Soldiers Memorial Park continue with a new, updated design now available for community review and feedback. The revised design follows the valuable community consultation sessions that took place in March and April this year about the improvements to this very special area of the park.

To view and have your say on the new design, take part in the online survey by Monday, 5 September 2022.

A printable version of the survey is also available to download, complete and return to Council.

Draft concepts for the play space area are currently being compiled and will be available for community review and feedback at a later date.

23 May 2022

Council has appointed Architects of Arcadia to develop the design for the new play space at Blackheath Soldiers Memorial Park. Architects of Arcadia are one of Australia’s leading play designers – see https://www.architectsofarcadia.com.au/ for examples of their work. They will be assisted in the development of water play components for the play space by Civille, who are already involved with the upgrades around the duck pond. Civille is also a notable expert with a specialty in designing water projects, including water play. Their involvement will ensure integration between the two projects taking place at the park.

Draft designs for the new play space should be available for comment in late June or early July.

March 2022

New concept sketches of what the upgraded duck pond at Blackheath Soldiers Memorial Park could look like are now available for community review and feedback, which will help inform the final designs.

To view and have your say on the draft concept, take part in the online survey here by Wednesday 13 April 2022. Survey now closed.

Council will also hold an information stall in Blackheath Village Centre (outside the Friendly Grocer, 14-16 Govetts Leap Road), on:

• Thursday 31 March: 11am – 2pm
• Tuesday 5 April: 10.30am – 1.30pm

Staff will be available at the stall to discuss the draft plans, provide survey forms and answer questions about this exciting project.

Blue Mountains City Council is prioritising the upgrade of the duck pond to enhance the visitor experience at the park, by improving safety, accessibility, water quality and community facilities.

The new duck pond concept includes:

• A new accessible loop path around the pond
• Replacing the existing barbeque shelter with a new and accessible one
• A deck out over the pond
• Improved sight lines into the pond
• Changes to the pond shape and edges to improve water quality and habitat
• Safer pond edges and removal of some portions of the existing fence
• Relocating the arch swings as part of the associated play space upgrade

If you're wondering why someone is kayaking on the duck pond next week, they are surveyors collecting data for the upcoming changes to the duck pond.

Changes to the shape and depth of the pond will allow the water quality and habitat values to be much improved.

Play space upgrade

This survey is now closed.

The play space at Blackheath Soldiers Memorial Park will be upgraded, so that it is in line with the Everyone Can Play Guidelines for a District Park. This includes:

• Accessibility enhancements – connecting paths with other facilities in the park, and provision of communication boards and multiple new inclusive play elements.
• Increasing the range of play opportunities available.

To have your say, take part in the survey here. The survey deadline has been extended until Friday 7 January 2022. This survey is now closed.

7/12/21 UPDATE: To become a member of a sounding board on either the play space or the duck pond upgrade, download the form on the right (or below if you are on a mobile device) and return to us by Friday 7 January 2022.

Applications for the sounding board have now closed.

Council will select from the applications by 14 January 2022, with a view to holding the first meetings in the last two weeks of January.

The upgrade will also include significant work to enhance and improve the duck pond. This could include:

• Providing accessible paths around part of the perimeter including an accessible platform over the water’s edge.
• Replacing the existing formal edging with a riparian edge, in line with water sensitive guidelines. This will include the planting of water plants which will improve water quality and allow easy shore access by native animals, such as turtles and ducks.
• Reshaping the pond profile to allow deep sections which facilitates natural water flows into and around the pond.