City of Darwin is seeking input into the design of a new inclusive and accessible recreation space in the Waters Ward that will cater to the diverse needs of our community and transform our suburbs.
The staged and prioritised project will include a multigenerational regional playground and other recreational elements; and lighting, pathway, car park and public toilet works.
City of Darwin Chief Executive Officer Simone Saunders said the aim was to create a recreation space where people of all ages and abilities can come together and interact.
"We want to create a safe, engaging and fun space that children, young people, parents, grandparents, carers and people of all abilities can enjoy," Ms Saunders said.
"The project will be delivered across stages, starting with community engagement to understand the needs and aspirations of the community, as well as capturing the community's longer-term vision for the space."
"Our aim is to make Darwin a safe, liveable and healthy city, and we are keen to deliver projects that activate and transform the amenity of our suburbs and bring our community together," she said.
The area surrounding Malak Oval has been proposed as the preferred location for the recreation space due to its proximity to transport corridors, schools, local amenities and other recreation and community facilities.
The engagement process will include an online survey, community pop ups, stakeholder meetings and letter box drops, as well as a drawing competition for children.
Feedback received will inform the final location and guide the initial design of the space, which will be shared publicly in the first half of 2025. Construction of immediate works is expected to commence in dry season 2025.
The design will also be informed by City of Darwin's Play Space Strategy 2023-2030, which has been developed off the back of an extensive engagement process, insights from which indicated the community want quality play spaces that cater to all ages and access requirements.
City of Darwin is investing $3.5 million in the project, including $500,000 allocated for the project's initial stage.
