Young 'experts' consulted through the construction of the new Unanderra Park Playground can enjoy the fruits of their labour through a summer of fun, with the new site officially open for business.
The newly replaced playground, officially opened on 13 September, was the result of extensive consultation with local students from Unanderra Public School, ASPECT School for Children with Autism, St Pius Catholic School and Western Suburbs Community Pre-School.
Their valuable input saw the installation of new swings, carousel, a toddler play area, spider net and climbing fort with monkey bars -one of the most hotly requested items from the children.
The family friendly playground also includes an expression swing for an adult with a baby or toddler, with a new softfall surface ensuring safe and accessible use of all the new features.
The site boasts a number of other key inclusions made possible by a $52,000 injection from the NSW Government via the Local Small Commitments Allocation (LSCA) grant program.
This funding provided for a new picnic setting, water refill station and a water play feature which was highly requested by the 110 children involved in the design process for the playground that is the result of their input and consideration.
Wollongong City Lord Mayor Councillor Gordon Bradbery AM welcomed the opening of another new playground, saying it is the result of fruitful collaboration with the city's youngest residents.
"It was great to see so many of the children who provided such valuable input into the design of the new playground so thoroughly enjoy the opening," Cr Bradbery said.
"Speaking with the children who will spend many years enjoying these facilities forms a key part of Council's commitment to maintaining its more than 150 play spaces for local kids and their families.
"These spaces allow our youngest residents to boost their physical and mental well-being through outdoor leisure activities and provide the opportunity to form new friendships and connections that build strong local communities.
"Ensuring these recreation spaces are maintained and accessible to as many children as possible remains both an immediate and long-term priority for Council. Playgrounds need to be upgraded as kids expectations and appetite for adventure and exercise grows.
"I also plead with the community to help us look after these assets and report any antisocial activity or vandalism to Police. We need to make sure our kids have the best and safest playgrounds"
The Unanderra Playground is one of several new sites to benefit from NSW Government funding via the LSCA grant program – including the recently opened Stanwell Park Playground - with Wollongong Council General Manager Greg Doyle keen to see these partnerships continue.
"We welcome the NSW Government's support in our shared commitment to delivering these community-focused facilities across our city," Mr Doyle said.
"We will continue to look for opportunities to partner with the NSW Government on the delivery of these great recreation spaces for local families to enjoy for many years to come."
Member for Keira Park said it was great to see local kids have such a direct say in the construction of their own new play space.
"It is wonderful to see the vision and suggestions of our local young people directly influence the design of this inclusive playground," Mr Park said.
"It makes this space to play, explore and exercise more engaging for kids."
