The much-anticipated Romsey Ecotherapy Park was officially opened to the community on Wednesday, 26 October 2022.
In attendance at the opening were the Hon Mary-Anne Thomas MP, State Member for Macedon, representatives of Macedon Ranges Shire Council including Mayor Cr Jennifer Anderson, and members of the Romsey Ecotherapy Park Inc. (REP) committee, who championed delivery of the park over 14 years and played a pivotal role in helping to raise funds required to realise the project.
Constructed over three stages, the Romsey Ecotherapy Park is the result of a community-led initiative by the REP to build an inviting and accessible recreational open space for people of all ages and abilities to enjoy a unique sensory and therapeutic experience through engagement with nature.
The park consists of an active nature space with a cubby house and nature-based play elements, a climbing forest, a ropes course, lookouts and a climbing net. It also includes an events space with picnic and BBQ facilities, an area showcasing several artistic features, a sensory garden, a 'woodland ramble', a hut-building frame and on-street parking to make it easy to access the park.
The total cost of the project was $2,737,000, with funding received from Regional Development Victoria ($1,333,000), Macedon Ranges Shire Council ($996,000), the Australian Government ($215,000), Romsey Ecotherapy Park Inc. (113,000 + Art in the Park), and Lancefield Romsey Community Bank (Bendigo Bank) ($80,000).
Council's Mayor, Cr Jennifer Anderson, said, "The park is an engaging and welcoming community space and shows just what a community group can achieve."
"Thank you to everybody who has been involved in this amazing project. Council would especially like to acknowledge the commitment of the Romsey Ecotherapy Park Inc. committee and their tireless dedication and work over the years throughout the broader community to raise funds for this wonderful project."
"It is wonderful to see it all come to fruition. I am sure the park will become a regional destination for visitors and a treasured space for all locals to enjoy," she said.
Romsey Ecotherapy Park Inc. President, Raelene Mottram, said that she was enormously proud of the achievements of the Ecotherapy Park committee in partnering with Council and the Victorian Government to deliver this magnificent park.
"This is a true testament to how a vision from the community can achieve a great outcome for the region," she said.
A community celebration event will also be held at the park on Saturday, 19 November, from 1–5 pm. For information, follow the Romsey Ecotherapy Park Inc. on Facebook at www.facebook.com/romseyecotherapypark
