Fred Caterson Reserve - Castle Hill

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Posted 2019-05-21 by Janelle ⇒ follow

Fred Caterson Reserve in Castle Hill is a multi-use 58.1 hectare park of mainly Crown land. In 1895, this parcel of land was given to the people of NSW for public recreation once it was not being used as a site for a new village. Gilbert Road Reserve was renamed after local councillor and politician Fred Caterson in 1981.

On the site, there are playing fields and practice areas for soccer, cricket, baseball, basketball and tennis. There is a BMX dirt racing circuit which is free for public use except when club events are on, a 1/10th scale electric radio control car track and a children's playground.

The bushland surrounds of the reserve are remnants of original Sydney turpentine-ironbark forest and contain two bushwalking tracks as well as a 2.5km paved cycleway. Picnic tables, BBQs, parking areas, drinking water and toilet facilities are dotted throughout although only one toilet block (adjacent to the BMX track) was open on the weekday that we were there.

Well behaved woofers (dogs) are allowed on a lead as there are many other park users and plenty of native fauna that they may disturb. The waters of Cattai Creek which winds along the southern edge of the reserve are attractive but unsuitable for drinking and/or swimming.

Plenty of wildflowers and flowering trees can be seen when walking through the bush on the trails. The Blue Wren Trail is 1.5km long and will take around 40 minutes and the longer Geebung Trail is 3.5km long with an estimated time of 75 minutes. These walks are marked with small wooden posts which can be difficult to see and traverse rocky uneven ground but are easy enough to be suitable for children.