Eurobodalla's largest playground at Corrigans Reserve has reopened even bigger and better to cater to children of all abilities.
Council partnered with local charity The Bay Push to transform the playground to a place where people of all ages and abilities can socialise and enjoy themselves.
The inclusive playground was designed with input from local children and families and a community advisory committee.
Stage one of the project, now complete, includes colourful new play spaces and exciting equipment, such as a sandpit, handball court, carousel, spinners, see-saw, slide, swings and the return of the much-loved flying fox and the liberty swing. A curved exterior fence will installed in the New Year.
Future stages of the project will see more ocean-themed rubber softfall go in, along with a balancing challenge area and a welcoming entranceway designed by the community committee.
The $700,000 playground was part funded through two NSW Government grants, Council funds, and the fundraising efforts of The Bay Push.
Charles Stuart from The Bay Push says he's delighted by the size and quality of the park.
"It's wonderful to see it 'in real life' after all the planning,” he said.
Director of Infrastructure Services Warren Sharpe said that due to the nature of inclusive playgrounds the project team needed to start underground.
“It was an involved project that included rejigging power supply to the site with help from Essential Energy, adding new drainage and raising the height of the whole playground area and repositioning some equipment to ensure it was accessible to all people,” he said.
“We’ve also invested $190,000 in rebuilding the shared pathway near the playground, extending the car park, and installing new picnic shelters and planting trees.”
The Bay Push has already raised $250,000 for the playground equipment through fundraising efforts and is calling for corporate sponsors and community donations to buy more.
Visit www.thebaypush.com and find the green donation button under fundraising or contact Charles via the website if you’d like to discuss how you can help with a corporate sponsorship.
For more information on how the playground redevelopment unfolded visit Council’s website www.esc.nsw.gov.au Media Release
