Hornsby Shire Council in association with the NSW Government have proudly unveiled 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 .

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 provides an educational model displaying the value of trees and 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 will also claim 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 . Our thanks to the NSW Government for their support .”

Minister for Planning and Public Spaces Paul Scully said the NSW Government ’ s $ 450,000 funding contribution will help connect young minds with their established surroundings .

“ This unique addition will provide a new and exciting learning space for children to experience for decades to come , and I thank Council and the local schools for bringing this innovative space

to life ,” Mr Scully said .

Attending the opening , Parliamentary Secretary for Planning and Public Spaces Stephen Bali MP , said the new children ’ s forest will be an educational model showcasing the value of trees for local kids .

For more information on the Metropolitan Greenspace and Places to Play programs , visit : https :// www . planning . nsw . gov . au / plans-for-your-area / infrastructure-funding / metropolitangreenspace-program and https :// www . nsw . gov . au / grants-and-funding / places-toplay .

To learn more about the Children ’ s Forest visit : https :// www . hornsby . nsw . gov . au / faganpark-childrensforest .