Northern Beaches Council has adopted a landscape masterplan to enhance the botanical, cultural and recreational amenity of Ivanhoe Park Botanic Garden in Manly, one of the Northern Beaches’ most cherished heritage locations.

Council General Manager Environment & Infrastructure Ben Taylor said the key elements include maintaining physical and visual connections between the botanic gardens, open spaces internal to the site and the surrounding built environment, as well as supporting the use of those spaces for the benefit of the community.

“The plan includes improvements to the existing botanic garden to enhance public amenity, identifies opportunities for recreation and community interaction, will protect botanical species of historical significance, and enhance historic elements within Ivanhoe Park, such as the Merrett Historic Gate and the ANZAC Memorial,” said Mr Taylor.

It also outlines options for additional community uses of the existing scout hall within the park, where an entire level is currently unoccupied.

Additionally, a new open space is proposed at the location of the existing Ivanhoe Park Preschool, including a large central lawn area, small playground, natural pond and a boardwalk, all connected to a new building to be used for social and recreational purposes.

Ivanhoe Park was once the site of a large pavilion for the 1870 Sydney Intercolonial Exhibition.

When in 1883 the land came under threat from developers, the local Council sent a deputation to the Colonial Secretary successfully urging government to purchase the land for the community.

In 2006, the Geographic Names Board named the reserve at the western end of the park Ivanhoe Park Botanic Garden.

The former Manly Council prepared a draft landscape masterplan for the gardens but the draft was not progressed until the new Northern Beaches Council began engagement with the Greater Manly Residents’ Forum and other Manly community members with an interest in enhancing the use and public amenity of the gardens.

“The community consultation process was very productive, enabling Council to develop a draft landscape masterplan that both celebrates and enhances the cultural and environmental heritage of this treasured Botanic Garden,” Mr Taylor said.