The Mountain Districts Sports Park on Bloodtree Road, Mangrove Mountain, stands as a shining example of what a community can achieve when it comes together.
With permission to use council land, local residents rolled up their sleeves, brought their own equipment, and pitched in however they could. Farmers and businesses donated materials. Dozens of people gave their time and energy, transforming a simple patch of ground into a fantastic park everyone could enjoy.
The land was carefully levelled, irrigation lines were laid out, grass was planted, and lights were installed—using timber poles crafted from trees grown on Bennett’s farm.
Later, a block housing the canteen and toilets was built by local hands, another testament to what teamwork can accomplish.
The following is an article from issue 92, April 1985, of the Mangrove Mountain and Districts Community News:
Bloodtree Road Sporting Complex
Two mammoth working bees have been held, on the 3rd and 10th of March, and the soccer fields and cricket oval have now been grassed and manured.
Thank-you’s must go to the following people for their donation of time, machinery, fowl manure, grass and trucks:
Machinery was supplied by Paul Fannelli, Phillip Williams, Eddie Grant, Paul Luci, Rodger Wilson, Ron Arnott, Bill Gresch, Reg Bennett, Hymix Quarries, Gosford City Council, Central Coast Soaring Club, Stan Arnott and Ian Brittan.
The soil and grass was very kindly donated by John Madson and Malcom Rowson.
The fowl manure was donated by Paul Luci, George Sidiropoulos, Reg Bennett, Laurie Moncrieff, Bill Bennett and Allan Hoipo, and Mr P. McWilliams donated the use of his irrigation equipment for the watering.
Other people who gave up time and came along were John Atkins, Kerry Connole, Forty Verduci, Laurie Douglass Snr., Anthony Bennett, Barry Whitehead.
A special thanks to Mrs Marg. Gray and Mrs Joan Grant for supplying the food that fed the workers. Thanking everybody for their time, I apologise to anyone who was missed.
Kaye Whitehead, Sec.
Later works included the extension of the irrigation system which was made possible with the support of Tony Doyle MP the Member for Peats (Peats was later replaced by Gosford after electorate redistribution in NSW.)
Issue 125, April 1988, of the Mangrove Mountain and Districts Community News:
Ken West of K.W. & M.E. West designed the irrigation system and supplied the equipment.
At the time the No. 1 soccer field was reportedly among the best lit grounds on the Central Coast. Many thanks to those who assisted in this project, our resident electrician Frank Noble and those who give up their time endlessly to community projects.
Along the Bloodtree Road side of the fields stands a row of tall trees, each holding a Memorial Plaque honouring the area’s older settlers and residents—a fundraiser that supported the park’s future.
When first constructed the facility had two soccer fields with a cricket pitch in between and the provision for a netball court.
It is amazing how many facilities in the district exist because locals jumped in, built them and continue to maintain them rather than wait for the council or other authorities to do so.
It’s a wonderful reminder of how much can be accomplished when people come together and make things happen.
A Community Milestone
This year is the 50th year of publication of the Mangrove Mountain and Districts Community News and in December, the 1000th issue will be published. In the forthcoming issues, articles from earlier issues will be reproduced to bring back memories of earlier times.
