Northern Beaches Council is delighted to announce the completion of the Lionel Watts play space - the centrepiece of the Glen Street Open Space Landscape Masterplan - just in time for summer.

The play space is part of the $8 million Masterplan implementation project and includes two full size synthetic football fields, a smaller junior football pitch plus a senior AFL oval at Lionel Watts Reserve. October saw the opening of the skate park, with the all-inclusive children’s playground completing the major project works.

In addition, the Frenchs Forest showground, popular with off-leash dog owners, was also recently resurfaced and irrigated.

And despite the wild weather earlier this week, Council is hosting a Picnic in the Park this Sunday 1 December from 9.30am, to celebrate the opening of the community project.

The likes of Wham Glam Circus Man, the Splash Test Dummies and Mr Jeff: Balloon Man will provide the entertainment, with a circus playground, photo booth and face painting also guaranteed to see plenty of smiling faces.

A series of skate and scooter activities have also been organised with identities from Skater HQ.

Northern Beaches Council Mayor Michael Regan said the primary aim of the Masterplan was to create a ‘community recreation hub’ for residents of all ages to enjoy.

“We are very proud of this project, it is remarkable to think how everything has come together after it was initially adopted by Council in June of 2018.

“Council listened closely to residents in terms of what they felt the community needed and then delivered. The Northern Beaches is an area with diverse interests, and for me this Masterplan epitomises what we are about.

“We now have excellent sporting facilities where games can be played 12 months a year, a brand new skate park and a fantastic all-inclusive children’s playground, which I know will be very popular.

“Early feedback on the project has also been very positive, which makes all the hard work worthwhile,’’ the Mayor said.

Council would also like to acknowledge the financial contribution from the NSW state government, who chipped in a total of $2.25 million for club house upgrades at Lionel Watts as well as the children’s playground.

Please note: the Picnic in the Park event this Sunday is free, but registrations are required online.