Stockland welcomes Sydney Kings player and Mayor as Willowdale scores new park and basketball court

Sydney Kings player Jordan Hunter and Campbelltown City Councillors joined local residents at Stockland’s award-winning Willowdale community in Denham Court on Saturday, 6 July, to celebrate the official opening of a highly-anticipated park featuring a basketball court, playground and picnic area.

The new Sydney Kings centre, who has recently wrapped up a successful NBA career in the US and returned to his hometown to play for the NBL, took part in the fun of the day, shooting hoops with locals at Willowdale’s newest park.

Councillor Masood Chowdhury officially opened the park and basketball court.

Richard Rhydderch, NSW General Manager of Residential Communities at Stockland, said hundreds of Willowdale residents and those from the wider community attended the opening.

“We were delighted that Jordan was among the first to use our new basketball court and particularly honoured to have the support of Campbelltown City councillors on site to perform the official opening of our fifth park,” Mr Rhydderch said.

“The collaborative effort between both Stockland and Campbelltown City Council has not only made this park possible but has also been a key to making Willowdale a wonderful place to live.

“Our neighbourhood parks are an essential ingredient in creating a healthy and happy community. These public spaces provide a fantastic opportunity for residents to connect with neighbours, while promoting an active outdoor lifestyle.

“This latest addition at Willowdale has been a much anticipated park and with the added inclusion of a basketball court, both children and adults can join in the fun.”

Mayor Brticevic said the new green space at Willowdale was a valued bonus for the residents of the greater Campbelltown community.

“It’s fantastic to see this wonderful playground open and ready for the community to use. Facilities such as this are vital in a community like Willowdale so the many young families that live here have a place to socialise, play and relax,” he said.

“I’m really pleased to see the natural shade cover that has been incorporated into the design of this park. Trees in our public spaces give families a place to cool down and relax, particularly in the hot summer months.”

Opening celebrations included free activities for kids of all ages including a craft station and inflatable hoops shootouts, as well as games on the new basketball court. The Rural Fire Services were also on hand serving up a barbecue lunch.

Willowdale, a 350-hectare community in Sydney’s south west, is an environmentally friendly neighbourhood with almost three hectares of open space.

The community has an internationally-recognised 6 Star Green Star – Communities rating for its world-leading design excellence.

It was recently awarded Best Masterplanned Community in Australia at the Property Council of Australia Innovation & Excellence Awards, won the Masterplanned Communities award at the 2018 Urban Development Institute of Australia’s NSW Awards for Excellence and received the 2018 Urban Taskforce Development Excellence Award for Masterplanned Community Development.

Willowdale is located 15 kilometres from Liverpool, is close to major road links such as the M5 and M7 motorways for ease of access into Parramatta and Sydney Airport, and the community is a short, five-minute drive to the new Leppington Train Station.

For more information, visit the Willowdale Sales and Information Centre on Willowdale Drive, Denham Court, go to www.stockland.com.au/willowdale or call 13 LAND (13 5263). You can also follow the community on Instagram @stocklandwillowdale and on Facebook at www.facebook.com/willowdale2565.