Brick Pit Reserve, Frenchs Forest: Work ramps up on historic park refurb as part of new town centre

Work has ramped up on the first of the planned refurbishments of three popular public parks as part of the creation of a new Sydney suburban town centre.

An artist's impression of the boardwalk around the pond at the refurbished Brick Pit Reserve at Frenchs Forest. Picture: COMPLETE Urban

Work has ramped up on the first of the planned refurbishments of three popular public parks as part of the state government’s creation of the new Frenchs Forest Town Centre.

Colourful playground equipment, including climbing structures for older kids, has now been installed at historic Brick Pit Reserve on the corner of Warringah and Bantry Bay roads.

The original park, built on the site of the old Hews Brickworks that shut down during World War I, was radically affected by the construction of the nearby Northern Beaches Hospital and upgrade of Warringah Rd.

Now, contractors are working on the fenced playground section of the reserve and building the concrete paths and boardwalk that will loop around a pond in the old brick pit.

Money for the upgrade is coming from the NSW Planning Department, which has rezoned land next to the hospital to create the new town centre on the site of the current The Forest High School.

A diagram of the proposed refurbished Brick Pit Reserve at Frenchs Forest. Picture: COMPLETE Urban

As part of phase one of the rezoning, there will be 1000 new medium and high density dwellings in the town centre and another 1000 homes in nearby residential areas.

Refurbishments of two other local parks — Akora and Rabbett Reserves — will come from contributions from developers building unit blocks up to 12-storeys high in the future town centre.

William Hews' brickworks at Frenchs Forest in the early 1900s. Picture: George Champion

An artist's impression of the proposed refurbished Brick Pit Reserve at Frenchs Forest.

Work is ramping up on the refurbishment of the historic Brick Pit Reserve at Frenchs Forest with workers installing playground equipment. Picture: Jim O’Rourke

Work on pathways at the Brick Pit Reserve at Frenchs Forest. Picture: Jim O’Rourke

A new amenities block is being built at Brick Pit Reserve as well as a picnic shelter and lawn and viewing decks with seats. The boardwalk will have features that “celebrate and interpret the site’s history”.

An artist's impression of some of the elements to be included in the play area at the refurbished Brick Pit Reserve at Frenchs Forest.

“The design intention is to create an open space for local residents, hospital staff and patients and the broader Northern Beaches community,” according to a council statement.

“The upgrades will also provide a natural link from the town centre to Garigal National Park and Manly Dam, and a filter to clean the water that runs off Warringah Rd before it enters the Manly Dam catchment.”

The council is hoping to re-open the park in April.