Lewis Herman Reserve

What a lovely park to bring the best of nature. Great display of ideas and construction. One major thing missing is toilets. BBQ but no toilets? How will ppl come for BBQ then?? Perhaps the project ran out of funding as it appears there is a section at the back left for restrooms but it is just empty space. Hopefully it will be built soon.

Very interesting park with a wide variety of surfaces, equipment and features. It’s not a traditional playground (with one climbing/play element), rather it’s spread out over the lot, with a lot of different elements - see pictures. My two year old has a better time there than a normal playground as there’s heaps to explore. There’s plenty of seats and BBQs so there’s capacity to fit several groups. One downside is there is an awesome water play area but there’s not enough water for it! The pump runs out of water when the water is only about 10-15% of the way down the little creek area. Also a bit of a lack of shade. Worth a visit.

The Reserve officially opened on 4/12/2023 after a complete redevelopment from what was an overgrown suburban block of land surrounded by cyclone wire. The opening was a celebration event attended by the Prime Minister. The design of the Reserve and its features was the subject of considerable community consultation. The ownership of the land and certain aspects of the site apparently did put limits of what could be done. Obviously there has been an intent to create something rather different on this relatively small block of land, catering for as wide a group of different people as possible and aspects for every member of a family. However, by trying to cater so widely, perhaps at this early stage of the Reserve's new life, to that end as a whole it is less than the sum of its parts. How many features have been put into the Reserve is an element of this impression - as in being just a bit too crowded with features - but it is more of certain aspects of the design of the features and how they physically relate to one another. An illustration could be the two games tables. If the generalisation could be excused that an older-aged player, say a senior, might prefer a fairly serious and extended game or two of chess at a visit with a closely matched companion, then the two tables have no cover, the board surfaces are highly reflective in full sun, are very close to the feature likely least compatible with concentration (the basketball hoop), on the edge of a main path relatively close to the Reserve entrance, and perched on the edge of steps where, after being immersed in a challenging match, a slip in awareness could produce a fall with serious injuries. However, for a child's experimental or otherwise brief exploration of moving pieces or a quick game of draughts perhaps, much more suited; but the "back" step is still a danger for a fall. Also, an area where people might care to sit on a bench seat and relax peacefully - to watch the activities and/or be a bit away from them - including to intentionally cater for people living with some disabilities - is at the rear of the Reserve; without cover, and needing to negotiate in and out the long sloping path and the young folk having a terrific time riding their bikes, scooters and boards on the path, and running over the path between Reserve features particularly for them. The nearest of three grass areas is surrounded by a brick border that would be a barrier to entry for people living with some disabilities. It is also a bit of a "hill" within. There is no toilet block in the Reserve - which was seemingly prevented by the ownership of this land (not resting Council). Older people wanting a longer stay in the Reserve to relax or other may feel this disproportionately - especially most seniors. The nearest public toilet is seemingly in Pratten Park. Follow a "short cut" starting diagonally on the other side of Holden Street, past the green area hiding the start of Robert Street, along narrow Robert Street to the back entrance gate of Pratten Park, through that gate and then turn left to walk around the Oval to the light-coloured concrete block between the club building and the grandstand. A 6 minutes walk. The key to this Reserve is that an excellent local resource has been created from a neglected block of land. However, it is presently a truly special playground rather than a park, and skews by its imaginative and clever features - and how they are laid out - to younger children. They will have a ball - and are having a ball by the number of strollers, plastic scooters, small bikes and really excited and happy younger children to be seen there. Really, the other aspects of the Reserve are ancillary to that, and serve for adults accompanying their children or grandchildren to find a distraction for a time (and whilst making the barbeque/picnic). This may all change as the Reserve matures, such as when planted trees grow, the imaginative and clever features refined and are adjusted to work a bit better (like the water channel after the water pump); time will tell.

An Inner West gem. One of the best green spaces I've seen in a long time. Well designed with lots of shade and seating. The highlight for me is the hand operated water pump and water course around the property. Hours of fun for the kids.

How does a park get built with no lights or toilets? I hope this lack of thought does not result in the park being destroyed at night.