The City of Hobart has begun transforming two blocks of unused council land in South Hobart into a new local playground for the community to enjoy.
The project is in response to a neighbourhood petition by the "Cascades Playground Collective" for a shared play space in the area.
It is expected to take eight weeks to build the new playground, which includes play equipment for different age groups, a picnic shelter with tables and chairs, gravelled pathways, bouldered landscaping and new native tree plantings.
The playground sits between Saunders Crescent and Moree Close in South Hobart.
This project is supported by the Tasmanian Government through the Department of State Growth.
Quotes to be attributed to Hobart Lord Mayor Anna Reynolds:
"The new Saunders Crescent playground shows what can happen when a small group of community minded people work towards a common goal.
"Thanks to the vision shown by these neighbourhood leaders local kids will soon have a shared and safe place to play and meet new friends.
"Playgrounds are often the first places where we learn to socialise, learn how to deal with physical challenges and get into the habit of regular healthy exercise.
"They create a space in which our kids can develop the sort of physical attributes encouraged by modern play equipment, including a sense of balance and spatial awareness, as well as the joy of movement."
Quotes to be attributed to lead petitioner Emma Green:
"As my first child started to become mobile and social, I realised that our neighbourhood was lacking in a playground, with the nearest one being at Cascade Gardens.
"As a physiotherapist and mum of two energetic boys, I know how important active play is for growing children, but more than that playgrounds are also an important space for families to build connections, especially in a diverse neighbourhood such as ours.
"A chance conversation with a neighbour sparked the idea of looking into building a playground in a block of vacant council land in Saunders Crescent.
"After meeting with Lord Mayor Anna Reynolds to talk through the process of getting Hobart City Council to fund and support the project, a group of local residents put together a petition, which our neighbourhood kids were instrumental in doorknocking residents to sign.
"We also held a community consultation day at the block, where parents and kids could share their ideas about their dream playground.
"As the Hobart City Council election was approaching, we contacted current councillors and candidates to support the playground proposal.
"Having never had much to do with local government before, I was pleasantly surprised how supported and approachable the process was.
"Our community are excited that the playground is becoming a reality."
