Children of all ages and abilities are in for a treat with 2 new inclusive playgrounds now open in the Tweed.
The new playgrounds are at Clarrie Englert Park at Tweed Heads West and the upgraded Banora Point Community Centre Park at Banora Point.
The new playgrounds will provide great local opportunities for all children to gather and play, regardless of their age or abilities.
The new playground at Clarrie Englert Park features inclusive play equipment, scooter and small-scale skate elements, basket swing and slides, nature play, an accessible picnic table and seating, drinking fountain, vibrant rubber soft-fall and mulch surfaces, landscaping, accessible paths and partial fencing.
The upgraded playground at Banora Point Community Centre features new inclusive play equipment, upgrades to the existing play equipment, a birds nest swing and slide, nature play and sensory spaces, shade sail, accessible picnic table and seating, landscaping, accessible paths, more shade trees and partial fencing.
The new parks are complete with areas to explore for the whole family and are wonderful additions to the Tweed Heads West and Banora Point communities.
Council's Acting Manager Parks and Active Communities Murray Smith said the team working on these projects were thrilled to finally see them ready to be enjoyed.
"It's wonderful to be able to provide new spaces for our community to relax, play and enjoy," Mr Smith said.
"The community provided significant input into the new playground designs for both parks with more than 300 residents offering suggestions, comments and feedback when it was open for public comment in 2021.
"We hope the parks are a hit with kids and families and will be loved for years to come."
The 2 park upgrades were identified as high priorities during the development of the Open Space Strategy (2019–2029). Since Council adopted the strategy, Council's Parks and Active Communities team has upgraded 13 parks in the Tweed.
The Tweed's parks have played an important role in supporting the community's physical and mental health needs during the COVID-19 pandemic.
The park upgrades are funded by two $50,000 grants from the NSW Government's Everyone Can Play Program, while Council contributed an additional $100,000 towards each park.
Additional park upgrades are planned for the first half of 2022, in the following locations across the Tweed:
- Goorimahbah – Place of Stories, Jack Evans Boat Harbour
- Chillingham Tennis Court, Chillingham
- Recreation Ground, Tweed Heads
- Coral Street Park, Bilambil Heads
- Fingal Foreshore Park, Fingal Head
This year, Council will also develop master plans for Amaroo Park in Banora Point, Burringbar Memorial Reserve and Masterson Park and a masterplan for Pottsville's key public open spaces in the town centre.
