The imminent migration of tens of thousands of new residents into the heart of the city is actually the best thing that has ever happened for Haig Park, the 1.8km long, 143 metre wide underutilised green belt that stretches from the foot of Black Mountain to the foot of Mount Ainslie.

The 19 hectare, heritage listed, informal memorial to Australia's World War 1 dead is regarded as a no go zone after dark by many locals thanks to an unfortunate history of crime and substance abuse.

One murder, three assaults, two sexual assaults and four robberies are just some of the unpleasant occurrences reported amongst the pine groves since 2011.

By moving to ramp up population density along the borders of what is the third largest of our 11 inner Canberra district parks, the Barr government has, by accident or design, created a situation in which this space can no longer be overlooked.

Many Canberrans, more than 250 of whom have had input into the masterplan that is currently being developed, are already of the view the time has come to make Haig Park the best it can be.

Issues raised in 600 on-line comments, 35 emails and even one phone submission included the need to preserve the existing ecology, a desire for new amenities to facilitate family and other social gatherings and hopes the area can be made safer.

The wildness of a landscape that has been allowed to evolve since the original windbreak plantings in 1921 is well appreciated and is something many of the area's supporters would be reluctant to lose in the name of progress.

Given its location, ease of access and wild beauty it should be possible to lift the park out of its current doldrums where it is mostly used on weekends or by pedestrians cutting through it on their way to and from work and make it a popular and versatile recreational space.

Steps are already being taken, in the wake of the 2012 master plan report, to upgrade lighting and install a footpath.

While the close proximity of Haig Park's already most widely used central section to the cafes, restaurants and shopping of Mort and Lonsdale Streets creates an obvious synergy, the potential of the more far flung areas, near Limestone Avenue in the east and Froggatt Street in the west should not be overlooked.

Interested Canberrans gearing up to attend the Braddon drop-in consultation session on Wednesday April 12 (at the Turner end) should put their thinking caps on and come up with some creative ideas.

Haig Park has been our diamond in the rough for too long. It deserves our attention.