Western Sydney Regional Park
Western Sydney Regional Park is a large urban park and a nature reserve situated in Western Sydney, Australia within the suburbs of Horsley Park and Abbotsbury.[1] A precinct of Western Sydney Parklands, a park system, and situated within the heart of the Cumberland Plain Woodland, the regional park features several picnic areas, recreational facilities, equestrian trails, and walking paths within the Australian bush.[2][3]
Western Sydney Regional Park
583 ha (1,440 acres)
60–100 metres (197–328 ft)
1997
Open all year
The park is governed by the NSW National Parks and Wildlife Service and is listed under the National Parks and Wildlife Act 1974.[4] In a 2009–10 survey, the park had attracted approximately 430,000 visitors per annum.[5]
History[edit]
The Parkland was an area of specialty for the Darug people and it is still deemed as important by the Aboriginal Land Council.[6] The Parkland has been visited by some early settlers, such as Edward Abbott and George Johnson. The Park was originally used for agricultural purposes which included gardening, dairy farming and grazing.[4]
Prominent early settlers such as Edward Abbott and George Johnson have been associated with the park. The original homestead of Abbotsbury is located within the park, and is leased by the Sydney International Equestrian Centre. In the late 1970s, the northern parts of the regional park had areas for rural residential lots (near Horsley Park), though by 1997 the area was designated as Western Sydney Regional Park, which is 583 hectares in size.[7]
Geography[edit]
The regional park is bounded by Westlink M7 to the west in Cecil Park, The Horsley Drive to the north in Horsley Park, Cowpasture Drive to the east in Bossley Park and Elizabeth Drive to the south near Cecil Hills. There exists market gardens in the north, residential piece of land to the east and south, and agricultural residential and rural industrial properties to the west. The regional park is situated within the Fairfield local government area, the Hawkesbury-Nepean and Georges Rivers catchment areas and the Deerubbin Local Aboriginal Land Council’s area. The park is mainly a savanna (i.e. grassy woodland), though it grades into a dry sclerophyll woodland in the southern portion.[4]
Located in the Sydney Basin, the park features three types of soils; the main one being Luddenham soil landscape, which originates from Wianamatta Group Shales on wavy hills, in addition to a small area of Picton Soil landscape. A ridgeline streams from north to south of the park which provides significant regional views from the elevated areas, such as the Moonrise lookout picnic spot in the west of the park. This ridgeline is linked with Prospect Hill to the east near Prospect Reservoir. The regional park rises as one moves to the west of it, with the elevation reaching 140 metres (460 ft) at its highest point. Eastern Creek flows southwards at the park's northern end and Ropes Creek flows in the west. The park also features small ponds and wetlands which are a refuge for the native wildlife.[3]
Furthermore, two radio telecommunication towers are situated in the regional park on Border Road. The regional park features a part of the Upper Canal System (by Sydney Water), which was constructed in the late 1800's. Bonnyrigg Reservoir is situated at the southern point of the park.[8]
The park is particularly used for family picnics, walking, jogging, cycling, fitness and for its natural environment. Western Sydney Regional Park contains Calmsley Hill Farm, which is protected under State Heritage listing. The park is visited by school students for cross-country, sports and for environmental education. Other visitors include disabled groups, childcare and mothers groups. The park features a broad system of walking and cycling opportunities on various tracks which link the several fundamental recreational areas. The park also features the Sydney International Equestrian Centre, which was built for the 2000 Olympic Games.[4]
The park's main recreational points include Pimelea, Sugarloaf Ridge, The Dairy and Plough and Harrow picnic areas, all of which have shelters, playgrounds and free barbeques, in addition to large parking spaces. There exists a walking track called the Spotted Gum Trail, which is 3 km in length, that loops around Plough and Harrow within the native bushland, thereby allowing walkers to encounter kangaroos and wallabies, in addition to birdwatching.[12] Every entrance to the recreation spots contains prominent planting accompanied by a large signage to indicate access. Access to the park is through Cowpasture Road, Elizabeth Drive and The Horsley Drive.[4]
Recreational areas and facilities include:
The regional park features five walking loops, which all have trail grades:[13]
Walking path in The Dairy
Walking path near Plough and Harrow picnic area
Lizard Log play area
Picnic shelters
Sugarloaf Ridge picnic area
A small savanna (grassy woodland) near Lizard Log
Walking path near Lizard Log
Looking over a swamp and woody grassland
