Kingsford Smith Park

Could be a little better cared for, but I enjoyed the peace so close to town. No playground or toilets no picnic area though nice lawns down the bottom and our dogs had a ball. We were the only people in the park.

The entry pavilion serves as a local landmark, positioned at the park’s highest point closest to the town center. The toilet block is notable as an uncommon feature for a park, and, together with a similar structure in Russell Hawke Park, Katoomba, is potentially unique. Originally, the land comprising Kingsford Smith Memorial Park belonged to Ernest Hudson. In 1916–17, his wife constructed Wadi Shaifa (K102) on the land’s north-west edge. After Hudson’s death in Palestine in 1918, his wife retained ownership of Wadi Shaifa until 1947. Around 1930–31, she operated the house as a guesthouse and donated the valley land below for use as a council park. Aerial photographs from 1932 and 1933 reveal that the park’s northern edges and slopes were already vegetated, likely with remnant eucalyptus trees, while the central drainage area had been cleared. A circa 1936 photograph (Low 1991, p. 123) captures the early park layout, showing a network of paths, steps, and newly planted gardens, along with playground equipment like swings, a slide, and see-saws. The drainage area was holding water, and the park was visually connected to the Hudson residence, functioning almost like an extended front garden. The park’s design was drafted by a Mr. Kerr from the Sydney Botanic Gardens (though his exact position there is unknown), and construction labor came largely from unemployed workers, typical of 1930s public projects. Stone for the retaining walls was sourced from nearby bushland (Slade in Low 1991, p. 123). Officially named “Kingsford Smith Park” by Lord Wakehurst on March 7, 1938, it was formally opened in 1940 by L.O. Martin MLA, Minister for Works and Local Government. Sir Charles Kingsford Smith (1897–1935), the park’s namesake, was a pioneering aviator famed for his record-setting flights across Australia, the Pacific, and to Britain between 1927 and 1934. Tragically, he died in a plane crash off Burma in 1935. His achievements were honored posthumously by the Katoomba community during the park’s dedication, with the Governor of New South Wales, Lord Wakehurst, attending the ceremony (Jack 1999). Two photographs from this era — one by M.S. Chisholm and another found on an undated postcard — depict the finished music bowl, audience benches, and an ornamental pond situated between the stage and seating. New shrubs had been planted along the eastern slopes, and a cypress row defined the park’s eastern boundary. The grassy central depression and lower slopes, along with a newly added roundabout (“whirlygig”) in the playground, enhanced the park’s amenities. By 1959, aerial images show that the cypress boundary had matured, providing a clear outline to the park, and the eastern plantings had flourished

Its a bit of a forgotten park in Katoomba, but it has a small amphitheatre there too.

This park really seems to have fallen by the wayside and is being completely neglected by council. The meandering pathways are incredibly overgrown, the bench seats scattered throughout are decaying and the grassy area resembles the vertical swamps in the national park than a former maintained park. Grass and weeds grow waist height in many areas. If you can manage to look past that, the forested areas are serene, the drystone walls are beautiful and having the park to yourself (due to it being a big old mess) is an absolute pleasure.

It is a nice little hideaway park, within Katoomba. The last 3 times I have been, it has been clean and well-kept. In years past it wasn't so clean or well-kept, but council (and volunteers) have really helped.