North Kellyville: Samantha Riley Drive Reserve plans open to public feedback

It’s a community choking with development but plans for an $18 million park will provide lungs for one northwest Sydney suburb.

An artist impression for Samantha Riley Drive Reserve at Kellyville.

Amid a forest of multi-storey units and houses, a sprawling nine hectare $18 million park is planned for North Kellyville residents.

The draft masterplan for Samantha Riley Drive Reserve — which features four rugby league fields, a cricket pitch and training nets, two ovals, a playground, picnic facilities, shared pedestrian and cycleways and a carpark — is on public exhibition.

Hills Shire Mayor Michelle Byrne said Samantha Riley Drive Reserve was one of several infrastructure investments the council has made in the growing suburb, including the upgrade of Hezlett Rd and the planned Stringer Road Sportsground development.

Picnic tables and cycling paths are planned for Samantha Riley Reserve at North Kellyville.

North Kellyville Advocacy Group’s Ming Lau wants a better mix of sports facilities in parks.

North Kellyville is one of our newer communities that continues to grow, with more people and families moving into this area every day,” Cr Byrne said.

“To help support our current residents and those who will be living here in the future, reserves like Samantha Riley Drive Reserve are beginning to take shape.

“New communities take time to build and this also includes creating parks and playgrounds.’’

The park is funded by developers under the voluntary planning agreement.

North Kellyville Advocacy Group spokesman Ming Lau welcomed the design for Samantha Riley Drive Reserve but wanted to see more diverse sports facilities between it and Stringer Road Sportsground.

Samantha Riley Driver Reserve will have four rugby league fields but residents want more diverse facilities for their parks.

“There should be a better mix instead of having four football fields so they can have mixed sports in the area, or cater potentially for a skatepark for kids,’’ he said.

“There needs to be a bit more change between the two reserves.’’

Mr Lau said residents had expressed a desire for tennis courts at Stringer Road Sportsground, which instead was earmarked for half a basketball court.

He implored the community to lodge formal feedback with the council and help shape “something visionary for the community’’.

Submissions close on February 5: thehills.nsw.gov.au/Building/Major-Plans-on-Exhibition/Current-Plans-on-Exhibition/Master-Plan-Samantha-Riley-Drive-Reserve-North-Kellyville

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