Woodstock Road Shops and Douglass Avenue Reserve

The City of Parramatta is upgrading Woodstock Road Shops and the playground at Douglass Avenue Reserve in Carlingford as part of our long-running Better Neighbourhood Program (BNP).

Thank you to everyone that provided feedback during stage one consultation in September 2020. We had a strong response to the feedback opportunity, with 69 responses received via the online submission option and 58 contributions made via the visioner tool.

In late 2020, we again sought community feedback; this time on the draft concept plans prepared for Woodstock Road Shops and Douglass Avenue Reserve Playground. Council received 77 responses via the online submission option during this second stage of consultation.

Feedback on the Woodstock Road Shops draft concept plan was generally positive, with community members noting that the planned seating under trees will be a great addition as increased shade will improve the usability of the area for longer. The proposed street library was also very well supported.

Some respondents provided comments about the possible addition of a bubbler and the orientation of the car parking spaces. A number of suggestions were also received with respect to possible activities that could be delivered in the area which could cater to a wide variety of age groups.​

The draft concept plan presented to the community in late 2020 proposed relocating the playground from its current location at the bottom of the reserve within the tree canopy, to a nearby open space to avoid critical vegetation, increase passive surveillance opportunities and provide a better connection to the carpark and subsequently Woodstock Road Shops. Feedback from community consultation was generally supportive of the proposed new playground location.

During consultation, Council also heard that the community would like to see a bike/scooter track incorporated into the new playground, which could encourage young children to learn to ride. This request has been incorporated into the design brief provided to playground equipment providers.

In February 2021, Council sought community feedback on a preferred choice for the upgraded play equipment at Douglass Avenue Reserve.

Throughout the community engagement period, 228 submissions were made via the online survey. Thank you to everyone that had their say!

Playground option four was most preferred, with 41% of respondents selecting this (followed next by option eight with 33%). 69 open comments were also provided, with a mixture of feedback received in relation to shade, seating, provision of a bin and further paths throughout the park.

In response to community feedback, Council will be moving forward with the construction of playground option four. Seating is being provided, and although no bin is currently planned for, this will be assessed at the completion of the project.

Please note that with all playground upgrades, City of Parramatta aims to make every playground unique to the surrounding area and to avoid duplicating the experience provided at nearby playgrounds. We are also guided by the Community Infrastructure Strategy which sets out expectations for playground upgrades. Douglass Avenue Reserve playground is currently categorised as a pocket park, targeted to 0-5-year-old children, with skills-based components.

Current Condition

Proposed new location