A plan for Ivanhoe Park's bright future

Ivanhoe Park can well be described as Manly's green heart.

Manly Oval’s wide-open spaces, Ivanhoe Park Botanic Gardens, and the area’s most significant variety of large trees make it an excellent place to escape the hustle and bustle of Manly.

The Park’s history as a place for the community to come together, play sport and take some time out dates way back to the mid-late 1800s. 

To ensure Ivanhoe Park meets community needs in the future while respecting its cultural landscape and built heritage, Council, working with the community, has approved a Masterplan and Plan of Management.

The Masterplan sets out a range of improvements.

There will be a new central lawn area with grass terraces, improved entry into the Park and an upgraded path system, better fencing and border gardens and the Scout Hall will get a major facelift.

The grandstand named after Tony Miller, is planned to blend in rather than being the dominant feature of the park. It would provide equitable access, fit for purpose change rooms, storage, amenities and security. It will be subject to State or Federal Government funding.

The Masterplan will also protect and enhance the State Heritage listed landscape character of the Park and support the native and Victorian plantings found in the Botanic Gardens.

The Masterplan and Plan of Management have been the subject of comprehensive community engagement, receiving 82% support when final draft versions were publicly exhibited in August/September this year.

It is expected that the Landscape Masterplan will take five to six years to implement in stages. The proposed Grandstand can only proceed with funding from the Federal or State Government.

The Conservation Management Plan contains policies that will assist in preserving the park's heritage and sets a planning framework for any future development that may take place within the Park.