Armidale Regional Council (ARC) has announced Dumaresq Dam Reserve will officially open on April 13 so residents and visitors can enjoy the full facilities the upgraded nature reserve has to offer.
A family "beach party" event will be held to celebrate the opening and will include a lolly hunt, ice cream and a free barbecue lunch.
While the reserve had a "soft" opening before Christmas, some elements of the Dumaresq Dam Reserve were still under construction, but they have now been completed.
The recently finished nature playground is one of the last elements of the $3.9 million upgraded reserve to be installed. The playground consists of spaces that incorporate natural elements and encourage a connection with the outdoors.
"Children will love the new playground that includes features like natural materials, plants, rocks, and other elements found in nature," said Armidale Regional Council Mayor Sam Coupland.
"The aim is to provide a more sensory and immersive play experience, fostering creativity, exploration, and a sense of environmental stewardship among children. This design prioritises sustainability and aims to blend seamlessly with the Dumaresq Dam surrounding environment, promoting a harmonious relationship between play and nature.
"Safety rails and signage around the jetty have also been completed and ecological interpretive signs on flora and fauna have also been placed along the walking trail.
Federal Member New England, Barnaby Joyce will be attending the official opening, along with other dignitaries from Armidale Regional Council.
The upgraded Dumaresq Dam Reserve also includes a camp site area/unpowered motorhome parking area, a new contemporary amenities block, picnic shelters and barbecue facilities, bitumen internal roads and parking areas, parking including long bay parking near the upgraded boat ramp, landscaping and new pathways and additional boardwalks.
"We are so excited to have all the elements of Dumaresq Dam Reserve complete and open for everyone to enjoy," said Mayor Coupland. "The reserve will be a huge drawcard for people moving to the region and visitors to the New England region. With its fabulous fishing, camping, swimming and bushwalking the redeveloped site adds to the many great outdoor spaces we have in the New England making the region a place where people want to live.
"The upgrades will make it even more popular with the local community who love spending time at this special nature reserve."
Contractor JNC has been working around the clock to put the finishing touches on the redevelopment project, which includes the jetty, artificial beach, security upgrades, tree plantings, interpretive signage, solar lighting and food grade water for the BBQ areas, water fountain and amenities.The official opening ceremony will take place on April 13 from 11am at Dumaresq Dam Reserve, Armidale. An informal beach party will be held to celebrate the official opening and will include a sausage sizzle, lolly hunt and ice cream truck. Everyone is welcome to attend.
