Griffith Park, Collaroy: Speed and safety changes set for site where boy, 5, killed by car

A crackdown on illegal parking is underway and a possible reduction in speed limits is on the drawing board after a boy, 5, was killed by a car at a busy northern beaches’ park.

Alfie Darby, 5, of Dural, died when he was hot by a car on Anzac Ave, Collaroy, adjacent to Griffith Park, in July, 2023. Northern Beaches Council has been working to improve pedestrian safety near the park and collecting data for a possible reduction in the speed limit on that street. Picture: 7 News

A cut in the speed limit down to 30km/h is being considered around a popular sports ground on the northern beaches where a small boy was hit and killed by a car.

Alfie Darby died when he was hit by a 4WD as he crossed Anzac Ave at Collaroy on July 30 last year.

The boy, from Dural, in the city’ north west, had travelled with his family to watch an older brother play a junior rugby match at busy Griffith Park.

Alfie, who was the youngest of five children, could not be saved despite the efforts of bystanders and Ambulance paramedics.

The 77-year-old male driver was not charged with any offence.

Emergency service at the location on Anzac Ave, Collaroy, where Alfie Darby was hit by a 4WD on July 30, 2023. Picture: 7 News

As a result of the boy’s death, independent Northern Beaches councillor Vincent De Luca requested council staff to look into improving pedestrian safety along Anzac Ave, especially near the football ground.

His request came as residents who live near the reserve called for major upgrades on the road to protect the safety of locals.

“I think with any roads with kids around I think there’s always a safety option that could be had,” local Diana Cavallaro said in the days after Alfie’s death.

“‘You never want it to be your child”.

Griffith Park regularly hosts football matches and is the home ground of the Collaroy ‘Cougars’ rugby union club.

About a fortnight after the incident a meeting was held by council staff to discuss potential options to improve pedestrian safety and accessibility around the park.

The council has increased ranger patrols targeting illegal parking and will soon paint yellow “No Stopping” lines at the corners of Anzac Ave/Cliff Rd, Anzac Ave/Beach Rd and Anzac Ave/Seaview Pde.

It has also provided witches hats and star pickets — to hold up temporary fencing — to the rugby club for match days to remind patrons to look before crossing roads.

Council officers have also collected data to go towards a consultant’s report on whether a reduction on the speed limit from 50km/h, to as low as 30km/h, was needed.

A makeshift memorial was set up by members of the Collaroy Rugby Club at Griffith Park following the death of Alfie Darby. Picture: Facebook.

And the council has applied for state government grants, thorough the Safer Roads Program, for funding to design the reduced speed zone and make pedestrian safety upgrades.

The council is also looking at extending a footpath along the southside of Anzac Ave to connect with the footpath at the intersection of Anzac Ave and Pittwater Rd.

Cr De Luca said on Monday that he was pleased that the council staff had acted so quickly to respond to the requests of residents and sporting organisations to address illegal parking and install interim safety measures.

“We are awaiting recommendations once a Coronial inquest (into Alfie’s death) is held.

“Then we’ll know what infrastructure, if any, is proposed and recommended by the Coroner.

“Council is currently doing all it can, within its jurisdiction, to address the risks (to pedestrians).”