Play is at heart of community infrastructure upgrades

Council is updating several playspaces across the Coast this financial year to provide safe, and engaging places for play for local families and visitors.

Each local playspace will have improved play equipment and provide accessible features so everyone can play.

• Ross Park Playspace - Avoca Beach

• Woolmers Crescent Playspace - Mardi

• Hylton Moore Oval Playspace - East Gosford

• Palm Gully Park Playspace - North Avoca

• Turo Reserve Playspace - Pretty Beach

• Jirramba Reserve Playspace - Saratoga

Construction works have already commenced at Hylton Moore Oval (East Gosford), Woolmers Crescent Playspace (Mardi), Palm Gully Park (North Avoca) with the existing ageing play equipment removed so that new and improved play equipment can be installed at these local playspace areas.

Construction works will soon follow to renew the local playspaces at Turo Reserve Playspace (Pretty Beach), Jirramba Reserve Playspace (Saratoga) and to finalise upgrades to the district level playspace at Ross Park (Avoca).

These projects are funded with were made possible through $825,000 of funding from the Australian Government's Local Roads and Community Infrastructure Program, with some additional funding provided by local community groups. The LRCI program supports local Councils to deliver priority local road and community infrastructure projects across Australia, supporting jobs and the resilience of local economies to help communities bounce back from the COVID-19 pandemic.

Playspaces are the heart of any neighbourhood and important community hubs where people of all ages and interests can connect, socialise, learn and lead active lifestyles. Central Coast Council manage and maintains over 260 playspaces across the region and continues to be committed in investing in innovative and high quality playspaces that deliver the best for our community and contribute to active lifestyles of our children.

Learn about Council's strategic direction for the development and sustainable management of playspaces across the coast. View Council's Playpsace Strategy.

Playspace work summary

Avoca, Ross Park district playspace

The popular playspace at Ross Park, Avoca needs to be replaced as it has reached the end of its functional life and due for a face-lift.

The new district level playspace will offer a variety of active and dynamic play opportunities as well as sensory and creative play which incorporate natural play areas to align with the Central Coast Playspace Strategy.

Some of the existing equipment (spider net climbing frame, and park furniture) will be renovated and retained as part of the upgrade. The connecting and circulation pathways into and around the facility will be maintained and complimented by new rubber softfall and synthetic grass under surfacing to provide greater accessibility.

Established trees will be retained and new shade structures will be installed to provide sun protection over the playspace. The fencing and gates will be replaced to protect users from the adjacent car park. The playspace supporting infrastructure such as seating, picnic tables and waste and recycling bins and enclosures will be replaced and a water drinking station installed.

This project was jointly funded by the Australian Government and Central Coast Council. Australian Government funding of $300,000 was provided through the Local Roads and Community Infrastructure (LRCI) Program. This program supports local Councils to deliver priority local road and community infrastructure projects across Australia, supporting jobs and the resilience of local economies to help communities bounce back from the COVID-19 pandemic.

To ensure this renewed playspace reflects what current and future users wanted to see, Council undertook community consultation to find out what's important to locals. Results of the survey are available here.

Works are due for completion by June 2022 (weather permitting).

play equipment

Mardi, Woolmers Crescent Playspace

Council is upgrading this playspace with works to include the removal of the existing play equipment and replacement with an improved natural/animal inspired playspace with mix of mulch and rubber softfall into and around the facility to promote access and inclusion. Partial playspace fencing improvements will be made to protect users from the adjacent roadway. Supporting infrastructure such as seating, picnic tables and shelter will be renewed. Established tress will be retained to provide natural shade over the playspace.

The demolition of the existing playspace is due to commence mid April with construction expected to be complete by June 2022 (weather permitting).

This playspace is fully funded by $105,00 from the Australian Government's Local Roads and Community Infrastructure Program. The LRCI program supports local Councils to deliver priority local road and community infrastructure projects across Australia, supporting jobs and the resilience of local economies to help communities bounce back from the COVID-19 pandemic.

reserve

East Gosford, Hylton Moore Oval Playspace

Council is upgrading this playspace with works to include the removal of the existing play equipment and replacement with an improved split level active/sport inspired themed playspace with new park furniture, plus rubber softfall into and around the facility to promote accessibility and inclusion and landscaping. Established tress will be retained and there will be planting of new species to provide natural shade over the playspace.

The demolition of existing playspace is due to start at the end of March with construction expected to be complete by June 2022 (weather permitting).

This playspace is funded by the Australian Government with $105,000 from the Local Roads and Community Infrastructure Program, with additional $5,000 funding from the East Gosford Football Club to deliver an additional concrete accessible pathway from the playspace entry to an existing site amenity building. The LRCI program supports local Councils to deliver priority local road and community infrastructure projects across Australia, supporting jobs and the resilience of local economies to help communities bounce back from the COVID-19 pandemic.

sports oval

North Avoca, Palm Gully Park Playspace

Council is upgrading this playspace with works to include the removal of the existing play equipment and replacement with a consolidated new play area by incorporating existing swings from current location into a new, beach/tropical inspired theme. In addition, concrete pathways will be constructed to connect the playspace with existing and new park furniture plus rubber softfall into and around the facility to promote accessibility and inclusion. Established tress will be retained to provide natural shade over the playspace.

The demolition of existing playspace is due to start at the end of March with construction expected to be complete by June 2022 (weather permitting).

This playspace is fully funded by the Australian Government's Local Roads and Community Infrastructure Program committing $105,000. The LRCI program supports local Councils to deliver priority local road and community infrastructure projects across Australia, supporting jobs and the resilience of local economies to help communities bounce back from the COVID-19 pandemic.

playspace in park with fencing around it

Pretty Beach, Turo Reserve Playspace

Council is upgrading this playspace with works to include the removal of the existing play equipment which will be replaced with a nautical inspired themed playspace incorporating the existing swings. The existing fitness equipment will be retained in their current location. New concrete pathways will be constructed to connect the playspace with existing park furniture, plus rubber softfall into and around the facility to promote accessibility and inclusion. Established trees will be retained and new species will be planted to provide long term natural shade over the playspace. Supporting infrastructure such as seating, picnic tables and shelters will be retained.

The demolition of existing playspace is due to commence late April with construction due for completion by June 2022 (weather permitting).

This playspace project is funded by the Australian Government with $105,000 from the Local Roads and Community Infrastructure Program, with additional funding of $9,800 from the Wagstaffe to Killcare Community Association (WKCA) to fund a circulation concrete path loop track around new playspace. The LRCI program supports local Councils to deliver priority local road and community infrastructure projects across Australia, supporting jobs and the resilience of local economies to help communities bounce back from the COVID-19 pandemic.

playground in park with picnic tables

Saratoga, Jirramba Reserve Playspace

Council is upgrading this playspace with works to include the removal of the existing play equipment and replacement with an improved natural/coastal inspired themed playspace with new turf and rubber softfall, with an accessible concrete loop track pathway connecting to the existing park furniture, toilet amenities and playspace. New trees will also be planted to provide natural shade over the playspace.

The demolition of existing playspace is due to commence late April with construction due for completion by June 2022 (weather permitting).

This playspace project is funded by the Australian Government with $105,000 from the Local Roads and Community Infrastructure Program, with additional funding of $9,000 from 3 Villages Community Group Inc to fund circulation concrete path loop track around new playspace. The LRCI program supports local Councils to deliver priority local road and community infrastructure projects across Australia, supporting jobs and the resilience of local economies to help communities bounce back from the COVID-19 pandemic.

small playground in park

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