Construction is now underway on a major expansion of Bedes Forest in St Ives, with a new urban park set to provide additional green space, recreation facilities and community amenities for local residents.
Work on the new park began on 7 September 2026 at the corner of Stanley Street and Yarrabung Road, marking the next stage of a project that will expand the existing Bedes Forest reserve and create additional public open space for the local community.
Ku-ring-gai Council confirmed the construction timeframe, with works expected to continue through to the end of 2027, when it is expected to be completed.
In Short
- Construction underway: Works began in September 2026 to expand the existing Bedes Forest reserve by incorporating three acquired properties on Stanley Street.
- Upgraded facilities: The new 8,000-square-metre urban park will feature a nature playground, basketball half-court, community garden, and upgraded picnic amenities.
- Local impacts: St Ives residents may experience temporary footpath closures and construction traffic, with the project slated for completion by the end of 2027.
The project will expand Bedes Forest following Council’s purchase of three neighbouring properties at 56, 58 and 60 Stanley Street over the past decade, which will be incorporated into the existing reserve.
Council says the project forms part of its open space acquisition program, which has focused on converting acquired properties into new public parkland while increasing open space and green canopy across Ku-ring-gai. The expanded Bedes Forest will provide almost 8,000 square metres of public open space, nearly doubling the size of the existing park.
The new urban park has been designed to provide a combination of recreation, nature and community facilities. Plans include a new playground and nature play area, providing children with additional spaces to play and explore, along with outdoor fitness equipment and a basketball half-court. The park will also feature a community garden, picnic shelter and barbecue facilities, providing spaces for residents to gather and spend time outdoors.
Accessible car parking, pathways and a new amenities block are also planned as part of the expansion.
The project has been shaped through several rounds of community engagement, with Council previously consulting residents and the local community about the site’s future. The “Play & Explore” concept was developed following three phases of community engagement conducted between 2022 and late 2023. Following this, Council worked with a specialist design consultant from 2024 into mid-2025 to further develop the concept.
The community garden is being developed separately alongside the broader park project, with the St Ives Community Garden Committee receiving Council environmental levy funding for its establishment.
With work now underway, Council has warned residents that there may be some temporary changes around the Bedes Forest site while construction takes place.
A Council spokesperson said residents may notice temporary footpath closures or detours, as well as construction vehicles and deliveries accessing the site. “Council and its contractor will keep any disruptions to a minimum,” the spokesperson said.
The construction period is expected to run for more than a year, with Council currently anticipating that the project will be completed by the end of 2027. Residents in the surrounding area can therefore expect construction activity to continue over the coming months as the new facilities and landscaping are developed.
Construction will also involve some vegetation removal as the new park is developed.
Ku-ring-gai Council says it engaged an independent project arborist to assess the health and condition of trees and shrubs in and around Bedes Forest.
Council says only vegetation assessed as not having a high retention value will be removed to make way for the project. It also plans to offset removed native trees, including those on adjoining verges, by planting species characteristic of the Sydney Turpentine-Ironbark Forest.
The existing Bedes Forest area will continue to change as the new park takes shape. Residents can expect to see activity around the Stanley Street and Yarrabung Road site over the coming months. Once completed, the expanded reserve will bring together the existing park and newly acquired land, creating a larger community space for St Ives residents. For now, construction is expected to remain underway throughout 2027.
