Blue Mountains City Council is beginning the next stage of consultation on the Neighbourhood Parks Program, a transformative initiative aimed at upgrading 16 neighbourhood parks across the Blue Mountains over the next four years.
Consultation has opened for the parks to be upgraded in 2025: Melrose Park, Katoomba; Wilson Park, Wentworth Falls; Bundah Park, Winmalee; and Hall Park, Mount Riverview.
To ensure the Neighbourhood Parks program consultation is as fun and engaging for the community as possible, Council created a new, interactive survey that allows participants to prioritise what's important to them, within the funding budget. It's designed to be easy to use, including for children.
This consultation follows the initial round of consultation on the parks that will be upgraded in 2024: Medlow Park, Medlow Bath; Golden Horizons, Hazelbrook; and Thomas Park, East Blaxland. Designs for these parks are currently being created and will be presented to the community for further feedback in comings months.
"We have been really encouraged by the way the community engaged with us in the first round of consultation which was focused on the parks that will be upgraded this year," said Blue Mountains Mayor, Cr Mark Greenhill.
"We are hoping to see that same level of engagement in this next round.
"The parks to be updated in 2025 are in Katoomba, Wentworth Falls, Winmalee, and Mount Riverview, so I encourage residents of those areas to take park in the survey and tell us what you need in your neighbourhood parks.
"Our goal is to ensure that the upgraded parks meet the needs and expectations of our diverse community," Mayor Greenhill said.
"Through upgrades to play equipment, accessibility features, social facilities and exercise equipment, we aim to create inclusive spaces that cater to everyone, including those with reduced or impaired mobility."
Funded by the NSW Government's Western Sydney Infrastructure Grants (WSIG) program, the $6.1 million Neighbourhood Parks Program is one of 20 projects Council is undertaking under the WSIG program, to revitalise community infrastructure across the Mountains.
To complete the Have Your Say survey, go to yoursay.bmcc.nsw.gov.au/neighbourhood-parks
For a paper copy of the survey contact council via 4780 5000. The survey is open until Friday 19 July.
Photo: Bundah Park in Winmalee is one of the parks slated to be upgraded in 2025 as part of Council's Neighbourhood Parks Program.
