Hornsby Shire Council has approved construction of a new multi-purpose sporting and recreational precinct in Old Mans Valley South, adding to a park development that has been quietly reshaping one of Sydney’s northern suburbs since its first stage opened in March.
The Old Man’s Valley Field of Play will sit at the southern end of Hornsby Park and serve as its main entry point — somewhere between a proper gateway and a car park upgrade, though Council would tell you it’s both. Alongside expanded parking, the precinct will include a multi-purpose sporting field, a recreational green space, changing rooms, a storage room, toilets, and dedicated pump and jump tracks for cyclists.
The Federal Government is covering half the bill. A $12,158,000 grant through the Thriving Suburbs Program brings the total project cost to just over $24 million. Construction is expected to wrap up in mid-2027, barring the kind of weather that tends to derail outdoor builds in New South Wales.
The timing is not accidental. Hornsby Town Centre is one of the suburbs earmarked under the State Government’s Transport Oriented Development policy, which aims to push more housing near train stations and services. More residents mean more demand on local infrastructure — and a half-finished quarry-turned-parkland wasn’t going to cut it forever.
The first stage of Hornsby Park, which opened in March, included the Crusher Plant Precinct, the Southern Lookout, and the Heritage Steps. Further sections — walking and cycling paths, additional lookouts — will continue rolling out as works are completed.
Image credit to the Hornsby Shire Council
