Forestville is located about 12km north from the Sydney CBD with a population of approximately 2900 homes. It is surrounded by the bushland of Garigal National Park and to the south by Middle Harbour which can be crossed via the Roseville Bridge. Near the bridge is Davidson Park which is a popular spot for a picnic, boating, paddling and fishing with accessible toilet facilities, canoe launching ramps and a multiple lane boat ramp. Forestville means town in the forest. This area was originally thick wooded forest until James French settled here and began felling timber and eventually built a small wharf on Bantry Bay. There are three primary schools in Forestville, Our Lady of Good Counsel, Forestville Montessori School and Forestville Public School. The nearest high school is Killarney Heights High School, with bus services to many quality private schools. The Centre is a shopping centre located between Darley and Starkey Streets with a Coles supermarket and specialty shops. Cook Street is also home to many DIY shops such as a Mitre 10 and multiple car service centres. Forestville has an RSL Club in Melwood Avenue near the Forestville War Memorial playing fields. The lush surrounds of Forestville Park and Middle Harbour reserve offers superb walking tracks, including flat rock.