ABOUT THE TOWNSHIP

The town is named after Dr Henry Grattam Douglass, an eminent man in his time, serving as clerk of the Legislative Council and later as an elected member.

The rugged beauty of the district is a feature of the drive between Douglas Park and Appin. The drive will take you over the Nepean River causeway, a popular local swimming and canoeing spot.

Originally called Hoare Town, Douglas Park was one of two vast land grants approved south of Camden Park. Dr H G Douglass, a close friend of Governor Brisbane, owned the Hoare Town land grant. The other grant, owned by Jean Baptiste de Arrietta, was known as Spaniard’s Hill which, in 1860, had a sizeable Catholic community and included one of the first rural Catholic schools. Dr. Douglass worked tirelessly for the poor and ex-convicts and was instrumental in helping establish Sydney University.

The Douglas Park Catholic Church began its existence as the town’s community hall. Built in 1937, it was consecrated as a church two years later. By 1971 the parish priest, Father Scanlon, came under increasing demand to provide pastoral care for such a large parish. As a result, the clergy from the local St Mary’s Towers provided assistance to the Catholic townspeople in their spiritual needs. Consequently, in 1977, then Bishop William Murray merged the churches of Appin, Wilton, Douglas Park and Menangle into one parish and asked the St Mary’s clergy to administer to these communities. In 1987 this decision was reversed. Douglas Park now exists within the Parish of St Anthony of Padua.

(photo) Church Of The Sacred Heart - Douglas Park

The village of Douglas Park is a fine example of what living in Wollondilly is all about: So close to the city yet far enough away to retain a rural atmosphere.