Catalina Park

Catalina Park comprises the lake, the old racetrack and 'The Gully'. It's about a 3.2km walk around the track. Accessible Dog on Leash Friendly Picnic Tables Toilet Free parking Here: https://w3w.co/candle.trickle.digest BACKSTORY: Norman Charles Gate, Katoomba guesthouse proprietor, was fined £150 at Central Summons Court for a breach of building operations, Involving the building of a swimming pool large enough to float a Catalina aircraft. (Catalina Lake). Here: https://w3w.co/mister.tactic.dandruff (Later reports say the land was owned by "Horace (Horrie) Gates") Describing the case as 'unusual'. Mr. R. Watson for the Department of Building Materials, said that the pool would also be used to Irrigate Gate's four acre farm. 'Such extravagant use of material In short supply is a serious matter' said Mr. Watson. 'Gate used enough cement to do 37 timber framed dwellings or 18 brick dwellings." In 1948, the shell of a Consolidated Catalina PBY-5 flying boat was added to the attractions. The plane was dismantled and transported to Katoomba by truck, then re-assembled and anchored to a concrete block in the middle of the lake. The Catalina became arguably Australia's first public flight simulator. SOURCE Trove: National Advocate Saturday, 17th July 1948