Skaters of all ages joined Indigenous leaders, Byron Shire Mayor Michael Lyon and NSW and Australian Government representatives at the official opening of Jarjumirr Park, the Byron Bay Skate Park, and the Sandhills recreation precinct today (Saturday 29 July).
While skaters have been putting the new park through its paces since early June, the official opening was the first time everyone involved in the project came together to celebrate the end of a project that had been many years in the making.
"It's hard for people to comprehend the cooperation and goodwill behind this project.," Mayor Michael Lyon said.
"It's important for our community to recognise the critical role the Bundjalung of Byron Bay Arakwal people and Tweed Byron Local Aboriginal Land Council played in enabling this project to be delivered for Byron Shire on this land," Mayor Lyon said.
"I also take this opportunity to thank NSW Crown Lands for allowing Council the opportunity to transform this previously underutilised area that was overgrown and a known haunt for anti-social behaviour into Jarjumirr Park," he said.
The all-abilities skate park was made possible by a $2.05 million grant from the NSW Government with Council contributing $650,000.
The NSW Office of Sport also allocated $138,000 for lighting.
Minister for Regional NSW Tara Moriarty said she shares the community's excitement that a new safe and accessible community space is now available to Byron Bay locals.
"This park will be an amazing place for the Byron community to come together for fun and recreation in an idyllic setting just across the road from Main Beach, and I can't wait to visit the precinct soon," Ms Moriarty said.
Jarjumirr Park was designed and built by Convic, a world leader in the design and delivery of skate parks.
"Jarjumirr Park is much more than a skate park, with beautiful artwork by local Arakwal artists Nickolla Clark and Kaitlyn Clark, it recognises the cultural significance this land as a place for the entire community," Mayor Lyon said.
Complementing Jarjumirr Park and the Sandhills recreation precinct is the completion of two projects near the area.
Upgrades to Gilmore Crescent, including improvements to parking and new shared paths for pedestrians and cyclists were funded by the Australian Government's Local Road and Community Infrastructure Program ($1 million) and Council ($400,000).
Council also funded a new pathway to connect Tennyson Street to Gilmore Crescent and the Sandhills precinct.
