Lawn of Willow Grove open to public and food vendors

Negotiations on the future of Willow Grove may be ongoing between council and the State Government, but in the meantime the gates have been thrown open to the heritage site.

Willow Grove will be open to the public and activated for public events like Parramatta Lanes

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Willow Grove will open up its gates to the public six days a week. Council moved to allow the public onto the front lawn of the heritage house from 9am until 4pm from Monday to Saturday.

Labor councillor Donna Davis moved the motion at Monday nights council meeting.

“It’s such a shame the gates of Willow Grove are locked” Cr Davis said.

“Now we’re getting into the warmer months how nice would it be to have people eat their lunch there, or have tai chi or yoga on the front lawn.”

The lawn would be open to activations including tai chi.

Cr Davis also said the lawn could be used for yoga.

Willow Grove and St George’s Terrace on Phillip St have been earmarked by State Government as potential sites for the Museum of Applied Arts and Sciences’ move to Parramatta. Council staff are currently in negotiations with state and said that should the call to acquire the properties be triggered the activations could not happen.

“My understanding is, that hasn’t been triggered,” Acting CEO Sue Coleman said.

“Council can use the space in whatever capacity in the interim.”

The North Parramatta Resident’s Action Group have been fighting to ensure the building is not destroyed by the construction of the museum. President of the group Aidan Anderson said the move was great.

Activists from NPRAG and community members at Willow Grove protested the heritage site being earmarked for the museum. Picture: Danny Aarons

St George's Terrace next door has also been positioned as a possible zone for the museum. Picture: Angelo Velardo

“The use of Willow Grove will highlight not only the heritage significance of the villa, but also its cultural and tourism value to Parramatta,” Mr Anderson said.

“Wrecking ball Berejiklian and sleepy Geoff Lee need to realise that Willow Grove isn’t just an “obstacle” to the State Government’s latest overdevelopment deal, but a cultural and tourism landmark for Parramatta.”

The council will now also allow food trucks to set up on the front lawn and be hired out for events along with coffee carts.

The front lawn will also be open during Parramatta Lanes.