Hornsby Shire Council recently opened a new Children’s Forest in Galston — only the second of its kind in Australia and an innovative new feature of the Shire’s already treasured Fagan Park.
Already receiving a fantastic response by the local community, the Children’s Forest offers an immersive, educational experience for kids designed to connect them with nature and spark their curiosity for trees and the natural world.
Featuring educational discovery pods, timber animal interactions, an outdoor learning space, Yarning Circle and a pond with stepping stones, along with grassed picnic areas and accessible pathways, the Children’s Forest was designed in close consultation with schools in the surrounding area.
Students from five schools, including children with physical or sensory needs, took part in interactive sessions submitting their ideas before an official exhibition period of the proposed design.
The Children’s Forest also claims the title of the first park in New South Wales designed specifically to nurture children’s relationship with the natural world — a concept that Hornsby Shire Mayor, the Hon Philip Ruddock AO says is crucial in ensuring our future generations’ sense of “connection and responsible stewardship of nature.”
“Growing up in Hornsby Shire myself, I still often cast my mind back to my childhood connection to trees, nature and Hornsby’s unique Blue Gum and Turpentine Ironbark forests,” says Mayor Ruddock.
“So, I’m very proud to bring to life this space that is reflective of our Shire’s strong connection with nature and sees an innovative approach to strengthening this for future generations.”
The Fagan Park Children’s Forest was delivered thanks to funding from the NSW Government.
