With four of Singleton's sporting parklands having or undergoing major upgrades the focus now shifts to plans to improve Civic Park.
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Located adjacent to the Hunter River and overlooked by the town's local government buildings the park is subject to inundation during flood events.
The park is currently used for football training through the winter season, cricket during the summer season and year-round for touch football and local informal recreation.
Civic Park has a long history as one of Singleton's leading sportsgrounds, and its future is now under the spotlight with a draft master plan currently on public exhibition with the community encouraged to provide feedback.
Developed in consultation with user groups including Singleton Touch Football, Singleton Strikers, Singleton District Cricket Association and the Singleton Sports Council, the draft master plan and sports pavilion concept design features a range of upgrades including six full-sized grass touch football fields, four warm-up/training areas, one synthetic cricket wicket, replacement amenities building, spectator shelters, new pathways, off-leash dog exercise area and new tree planting to increase canopy cover and shade offering.
Justin Fitzpatrick-Barr, Council's Director Infrastructure and Planning Services said the draft plan was an important document that would guide the future development of Civic Park, enabling Council to take advantage of future funding opportunities for the site.
People can learn more about the draft master plan and sports pavilion design concept at a drop-in session at planned for Civic Park on Wednesday 7 February 2024 from 4-6pm or have their say online by completing the short survey available on Council's website and Facebook page.
"Council has been working closely with user groups of Civic Park to gain a really robust understanding of their wish list items, as well as any issues relating to the site now," Mr Fitzpatrick-Barr said.
"Given the importance of the site today, both as a recreational and leisure facility, the future of the site holds a special significance for thousands of Singleton locals.
"The draft master plan will be a guideline for the future use of the site to ensure it meets the needs of the community now and into the future.
"Sporting groups, park users, the local community and any other interested people or groups are invited to contribute their opinions, issues or suggestions to help finalise the draft master plan - your feedback is extremely important to ensure we get this plan right."
"I encourage everyone to jump online to view the plan and have your say - either online through the survey or at the drop-in session on 7 February.
"This is the final part of our process to make sure the draft plan reflects the community's vision and aspirations for the site, before it is presented to Council for adoption."
Highlights of the draft master plan include:
- Six full-sized grass touch football fields
- Four warm up / training areas
- One synthetic cricket wicket
- Replacement amenities building
- Spectator shelters
- New pathways to improve connection and access
- Off-leash dog exercise area
- New tree planting to increase canopy cover and increase shade offering for users
Civic Park is currently used for football training through the winter season, cricket during the summer season and year-round for touch football and local informal recreation.
The Draft Civic Park Master Plan and sports pavilion concept design is on public exhibition from Monday 5 February - Monday 4 March 2024.
For further information, including to view the full master plan, artist impression photos and to complete the short feedback survey, visit singleton.nsw.gov.au/publicexhibition
Louise Nichols
From cattle to coal. Once a specialist agriculture writer today its about community, in particular, the Upper Hunter. I have lived and worked in the region for more than 30 years. Land use issues and the future direction of our region. But you cannot take ag out of the picture - our food and how we grow it is the basis of all life. Covering the Hunter and Mid North Coast rural issues is now part of my role with ACM.
From cattle to coal. Once a specialist agriculture writer today its about community, in particular, the Upper Hunter. I have lived and worked in the region for more than 30 years. Land use issues and the future direction of our region. But you cannot take ag out of the picture - our food and how we grow it is the basis of all life. Covering the Hunter and Mid North Coast rural issues is now part of my role with ACM.
