Residents are invited to attend a family fun day at Recreation Ground at Tweed Heads to share their ideas and provide feedback on the proposed design of the new park.
Council will host a free event in the park on Saturday 19 November from 10 am to 12 pm which will include a barbecue and kids' activities, with Council staff available to discuss plans for the park.
The $800,000 upgrade will revitalise and modernise the park by providing a place for community members of all ages to gather, connect and enjoy the location and facilities.
Council's Manager Parks and Active Communities Murray Smith said the upgrade of Recreation Ground will further boost the liveability of Tweed Heads.
"It's important we provide improved facilities for the community to complement the population growth that is expected in the years to come. The single swing set currently at Recreation Ground is not meeting community need," Mr Smith said.
"With the upgrades currently underway at Goorimahbah – Place of Stories Inclusive Park and Playspace at Jack Evans Boat Harbour, the addition of new shade and swings at Jack Chard Park in Enid Street and now Recreation Ground in the planning phase, Council has made it a priority to increase the city's liveability and this upgrade will be a significant step in that direction."
Park upgrades like these are one way to provide the Tweed community with more opportunities to be active and healthy, while building a vibrant community to live in and visit.
Residents were invited have their say on the upgrade of Recreation Ground in May and June this year, with 244 survey responses received. In addition, meetings were held with local schools, a co-design workshop was held with young people and key stakeholders, and other feedback was taken into consideration to prepare the draft plan.
Overwhelmingly, feedback called for more all-ages play equipment, a scooter or bike track, climbing equipment, a half basketball court, retaining the green open space and additional picnic facilities with shade. The community also expressed a need for a fenced off-leash dog area, spaces for young people to study outside, extra car parking, better toilets and ensuring the markets space is retained.
The community feedback informed the development of a draft concept plan and Council is now inviting the community to have their say until Wednesday, 4 December 2022. Feedback received online and at the family fun day will inform a final concept design for the park.
Council received a $200,000 grant from the NSW Government's Everyone Can Play grant program to upgrade Recreation Ground to be more inclusive of everyone, which will be matched by Council. An additional $400,000 in funding has also been received from the NSW Government's Regional Housing Fund for youth recreation facilities and park facilities.
This project is part of Council's commitment in the Open Space Strategy (2019–2029) to protect and improve the quality of the Tweed's public open spaces where several park upgrades have been delivered for the community in the last 12 months. These include: Coral Street Park at Bilambil Heights, Banora Point Community Centre Park, Clarrie Englert Park at Tweed Heads West, Chillingham Tennis Court and Playground at Chillingham and Fingal Foreshore Park at Fingal Head which is due to be completed by the end of November.
