Gregson Park Hamilton Masterplan

Shaping the future of Gregson Park.

Above: Gregson Park eastern gate circa 1970.

9 September 2020 ~ Council wants people to share memories, stories, and ideas about Gregson Park to guide the renewal of the historic park in Hamilton.

City of Newcastle has begun community engagement on the Gregson Park Masterplan, focusing on values and aspirations to inform how the historic park is managed and renewed.

Gregson Park is steeped in history, so we want to ensure that as we plan for its future, we consider its past and pay tribute to the heritage of the site,” said Lord Mayor Nuatali Nelmes.

From its origins dating back to the late 1880s when the park was gifted to the community by the then Hamilton Council, Gregson Park has become an iconic part of Hamilton, and the broader City.

We encourage the community to have a say on the future of Gregson Park through our online survey and share photos, ideas and memories via our online mapping tool. We’re also eager to hear what our community loves about the park and what could be improved.”

Chairperson of the Community and Culture Advisory Committee, Councillor Carol Duncan, said the Gregson Park Masterplan would help shape the future of Hamilton.

Hamilton is a unique, diverse and iconic Newcastle suburb with Gregson Park the green space at its heart," Cr Duncan said.

How Gregson Park is maintained, preserved and enhanced in the future will play an important part in how Hamilton as a suburb grows for the next generation, which is why we’re seeking feedback from a broad spectrum of our community.”

The Masterplan will consider the existing infrastructure at the park, community priorities for facilities such as the former bowling club site, a new play space and amenities, potential use of the park for events and activities, and heritage interpretation of the site. 

 

20 August 2021 ~ City of Newcastle unveiled a vision for Hamilton’s historic Gregson Park as part of the development of a draft masterplan.

 The vision for Gregson Park shows a larger inclusive playspace in its existing location, new community shelter on the former bowling club site, more shaded seating areas, potential for community gardens and kiosk, resurfaced tennis courts, additional active recreation facilities and upgraded amenities.

The plan also proposes the realignment of some pathways, opportunities for a stormwater retention tank and removal of the glasshouse building subject to heritage assessment.

Local history writer, Ruth Cotton, welcomed the exciting plans for the inner-city park which is steeped in history.

Gregson Park continues to hold a special place in the hearts of Novocastrians and I'm really pleased that the heritage of the park will be retained into the future.

I have no doubt that as the plans come to fruition, Gregson Park will remain a historic gem that continues to pay homage to its past." Ms Cotton said.

Lord Mayor Nuatali Nelmes said community feedback in 2020 has helped shape the future of the much-loved park.

We asked our community to tell us their aspirations for Gregson Park, as well as their memories from days gone by to help guide the way the park is managed and renewed into the future," Cr Nelmes said.

We heard that the community wants to see the incorporation of Aboriginal culture, more planting of native species, an upgrade of amenities, improvements to the playspace, creation of spaces for the community to come together, provision for active recreation, and the retention of the existing heritage elements and much-loved fig trees.

The new masterplan for Gregson Park, which showcases three key components including a new playspace, community hub on the former bowling green and multi-sports activity hub, aims to celebrate the existing heritage of the site and Awabakal culture, while meeting the recreational needs of the local community."

Gregson Park also has great potential as an event space due to the connection through the local area and proximity to the business district in Beaumont Street. The southern area of the park and new shelter will provide for markets and community festivals.

The Masterplan for the site is intended to be implemented across a ten-year period with short-term and long-term priorities.

Short-term priorities earmarked for implementation within five years include the playspace, realigned paths, plantings and community shelter. Work on the playspace featuring nature play, water play and small yarning circle, will start in 2022 under the city's annual asset renewal program. Long-term priorities include the active recreation area, community gardens and stormwater retention tank. 

To enable the Gregson Park Masterplan, amendments to the Heritage Places Plan of Management for Gregson Park are being prepared.

Council will consider a report to place the draft Gregson Park Masterplan, along with amendments to the Heritage Places Plan of Management for Gregson Park, on public exhibition in late-August.