Marsden Park: Northern Playing Fields seals development approval

An AFL field, playground and cycling paths in a park are set to be another drawcard in a booming western Sydney suburb. See how the 6.5-hectare spot will look.

Artist's impressions for Northern Playing Fields, a 6.5-hectare sports and recreation facility at Elara in Marsden Park,

A full-sized Aussie rules playing field, playground and cycling paths are part of a new park planned for the rapidly-expanding Marsden Park.

Developer Stockland has received approval for the sports facility in the Elara estate where residents, their friends and neighbouring sports teams can gather at the AFL playing field and junior playing field, cricket nets, walking and cycling paths and playground.

There will also be a carpark at the site, to be known as the Northern Playing Fields.

Stocklands’s Northern Playing Fields project director Mike Milligan said the park would follow the opening of its 24-hectare Riparian Parklands, which were completed at the end of last year.

“Stockland prides itself on creating some of Australia’s most liveable communities,’’ he said.

Aussie rules teams can play at the fields, which will also have an amenities block.

“We measure liveability through an annual survey of our residents with questions on health and wellbeing, quality of life and community connections.’’

He said recent results revealed Elara residents loved walking around the community, quality parks and the natural environment.

Cycling and pedestrian paths form part of the Northern Playing Fields.

Construction is slated to start at the end of the year and completion is anticipated by the end of 2024.

Marsden Park mum Nisha Patel welcomed the facility for her children, Vansh, 13, and Jisha, 7.

“It’s awesome,’’ she said.

“That is good for the kids. They can get exercise and play together.’’

She hopes the Northern Playing Fields will free up space for her children to play, unlike other parks in the suburb which are often occupied by the same participants for hours.

Marsden Park is home to more than 14,600 residents.