Hornsby Shire Council is celebrating national recognition for its innovative approach to outdoor play, after the Fagan Park Children’s Forest secured the 2025 Parks and Leisure Australia (PLA) National Award of Excellence for Playspace under $500,000.
Hornsby Shire Mayor Warren Waddell hailed the award as a testament to the project’s success in fostering a crucial connection between children and nature.
“Hornsby Shire is proud to lead the way in creating spaces that inspire children to connect with nature,” Mayor Waddell told reporters. “The Fagan Park Children’s Forest is more than a playground, it’s a living classroom that encourages curiosity, learning, and a lifelong appreciation for the environment. Winning this national award is a testament to the vision and collaboration that made this project possible.”
The prestigious award celebrates play spaces that demonstrate innovation, strong community impact, and a commitment to sustainable, inclusive design.
Council confirmed the design, a collaboration with Fiona Robbé Landscape Architects, was specifically commended for its nature-based, educational focus. The space was developed in close consultation with local schools and is aligned with the Council’s key strategies, including the Urban Forest Strategy and Play Plan.
A Multi-Award Winner
The Children’s Forest has quickly become one of the region’s most awarded projects, having already won the NSW PLA Award for Playspace under $500,000 earlier this year, an AILA Landscape Architecture Award, and a Kidsafe Australia National Playspace Design Award.
Council representatives noted the Fagan Park Children’s Forest is the first park in New South Wales designed with the primary purpose of nurturing a child’s relationship with the natural world.
Key features of the award-winning space include:
- Educational discovery pods
- Timber animal interactions
- Outdoor learning space and Yarning Circle
- A pond with stepping stones
- Grassed picnic areas and accessible pathways
The project, which was funded by the NSW Government in association with Hornsby Shire Council, is set to receive further enhancements. Hornsby Shire Council announced plans for a tree house to be constructed within the forest by Spring 2026, partially funded by a NSW Government Crown Reserve Improvement Fund Grant.—–
