Parks and Reserves of Strathfield
Strathfield is known for its vast parks and open
spaces. The first public park, Strathfield Park, was dedicated in
1914 following a referendum of local residents to select the site.
Much of the land for parks was acquired in the 1920s and 1930s,
during periods of rapid increase of population and building activity
in Strathfield. Acquisition of open space was required to provide
public recreation areas for increasing population. Many of the
sites, which are now parks, were considered unsuitable for building,
generally due to flooding problems, as many parks are located close
to rivers, creeks or watercourses.
Strathfield now has over 60 parks and reserves ranging from significant and large areas such as Strathfield Park, Bressington Park and Mason Park, Hudson Park and Airey Park to small neighbourhood parks such Boden and Pilgrim Reserves. Parks provide an array of sporting facilities including playing fields for cricket, rugby league, rugby union, soccer and netball, outdoor bowls, tennis, basketball, volleyball and golf.
Strathfield Municipality contains 9.5 hectares of remnant bushland. 6.6 hectares is managed and owned by Council.
Hudson Park was once part of Rookwood Cemetery but isolated when the goods railway was built in 1916. After much lobbying by Strathfield Council to the NSW Government, Hudson Park formally transferred to Council control and later Hudson Oval and Hudson Golf Course were developed.
Large open spaces adjoining Powell’s Creek, once part of Homebush Council, were swamps and later used as garbage tips. These lands were filled and capped and playing fields were developed such as Mason Park and Bressington Park.
With the acquisition of the west ward of Enfield Council in 1949, considerable amounts of parkland were added to Strathfield Municipality such as Ford Park and Cooke Park. Enfield Council had active parkland acquisition and refurbishment programs undertaking loan programs during the 1930’s Depression to buy public land and upgrade local amenities. Land for Ford Park was acquired during this time and Coronation Reserve refurbished as a park.
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