H A Smith Reserve

H.A. Smith Reserve is a versatile public park on Glenferrie Road in Hawthorn, with the Gardiners Creek walking and cycling trail running through it and linking Boroondara with the city. It offers a practical setting for a walk, bike ride, outdoor play or a relaxed break, with seating and tables, public toilets and an off-lead dog area included among its facilities.

Families are well catered for, with a playground and a skate and BMX park designed for primary school-aged children. The riding area includes jumps, banks, a rollover, box ledge and quarter pipe elements, giving younger riders a place to build confidence before progressing to more challenging facilities such as Junction Skate and BMX Park. The reserve’s mix of open space and dedicated recreation areas makes it suited to children, active visitors and dog owners alike.

The reserve also includes a sportsground, sports pavilion and lighting, with the playing areas available through Boroondara’s booking system. Its sports facilities support organised training and matches, while the surrounding paths and grassed areas provide space for less structured visits. A seasonal winter sports schedule applies to the West Oval and East Oval, so visitors planning to use the sportsground should check availability and booking requirements in advance.

The reserve has changed substantially since 2009, when it began an extensive transformation. Walking paths, the playground, skate and BMX park, sports pavilion and sportsground lighting are now part of the site. That history helps explain the reserve’s broad appeal: it is not just a sports venue, but a neighbourhood recreation space with facilities for families, young riders, walkers, cyclists, sports groups and people looking for an outdoor place to spend time in Hawthorn.