Ferndale Park

Area: 10.1 ha

Ferndale Park is a long and narrow remnant bushland reserve that is surrounded by residential properties, located within the Lane Cove River catchment, Chatswood.

It plays an important role linking a number of small bushland spaces to larger significant bushland reserves including Mowbray Park, Blue Gum Park and the Lane Cove National Park. Swaines Creek runs through the centre of the park with many stormwater drains from nearby roads and properties feeding into it. Water from the creek flows into the adjacent Chatswood Golf Course before draining into the Lane Cove River.

There are sign-posted walking tracks in the reserve and the Ferndale Walking Track is part of the larger Rail to River walk.

During early settlement, timber-getting was an important industry in the region. Hardwood timbers such as Blue Gum, needed for the building of houses in Sydney, were felled and carried down the Lane Cove River by boat and raft. As trees were felled, the patches of cleared land were used as small farms and orchards. The value of Ferndale Park as bird habitat is reflected in the high number of forest and woodland birds present. Smaller remnant areas containing healthy mid-story vegetation are important in maintaining species diversity of birds, reptiles and mammals. The vulnerably listed Powerful Owl is known to roost and nest within the Park. There are also a suit of mammal species including four species of Microbats, Echidnas, Bandicoots and Antechinus that inhabit the area.