The Fagan Park Children’s Forest has taken out a national honour, earning the 2025 Parks and Leisure Australia Award of Excellence for Playspace under $500,000 and cementing its reputation as one of the state’s most innovative outdoor play spaces.
Set within the leafy surrounds of Galston, the Children’s Forest was recognised for its nature-based design, educational focus and strong community impact. The award celebrates play spaces that support childhood development while contributing to sustainable and inclusive communities.
Designed by Fiona Robbbé Landscape Architects in collaboration with Hornsby Shire Council, the project was praised for its close alignment with the council’s Urban Forest Strategy and Play Plan. From the outset, local schools were involved in shaping the space to ensure it reflected how children learn, explore, and engage with the natural environment.
The result is an immersive playspace that encourages young visitors to connect with nature and understand the value of trees and biodiversity. Educational discovery pods, timber animal features and an outdoor learning area with a yarning circle are complemented by a pond with stepping stones, grassed picnic areas and accessible pathways that invite families to linger.
The national award adds to a growing list of accolades for the Children’s Forest, which earlier this year received the NSW Parks and Leisure Australia Award for Playspace under $500,000, along with honours from the Australian Institute of Landscape Architects and Kidsafe Australia.
Notably, the Fagan Park Children’s Forest is the first park in New South Wales designed specifically to nurture children’s relationships with the natural world, positioning it as a model for future nature-based play spaces.
Hornsby Shire Mayor Warren Waddell said the recognition reflected the project’s vision. “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,” he said. “Winning this national award is a testament to the collaboration that made it possible.”
The project was funded by the NSW Government in association with Hornsby Shire Council, with further investment already on the horizon. Plans are underway for a tree house to be built within the Children’s Forest by spring 2026, partially funded through a NSW Government Crown Reserve Improvement Fund grant, adding another layer of adventure to the popular destination.
For further information on the Fagan Park Children’s Forest visit https://www.hornsby.nsw.gov.au/Community/Sports-and-recreation/Parks-and-playgrounds/Playgrounds/Fagan-Park-Childrens-Forest
