The new junior playground at Pop Denison Park is officially open and ready to explore!
The junior playground area is the first stage of a new regional-level playground planned for the site through the Pop Denison Park Master Plan.
The new playground equipment includes multiple swing sets with inclusive access including boat, basket, and hammock swings; as well as a mound slide, monkey bars, treehouse play fort, 4x4 rocker, fairy-tale ship, and spinning orb.
The playground has been integrated into the site's natural landscape with the creation of nature play and adventure play elements that include nature trails through the gardens, a dry creek bed, balance beams, log steppers, bridge crossing, stepping stones and edging to encourage social play and skills development.
Scooter riders will love the new concrete loop path, while parents can sit back and relax, taking their pick from the turfed lawns with shade trees, new seating, or picnic shelters and facilities.
The junior playground works cost $1.3 million, including grant funding of $252,000 provided through the NSW Government's Stronger Country Community Fund.
"This new junior playground is a major step forward as Council delivers the vision outlined in the Pop Denison Park Master Plan," said Council's Manager Open Spaces, Cheyne Willebrands.
"We're excited to open this new junior playground for the community as the next stage in the development of this site as a key regional facility.
"Compared to the previous playground, this facility provides a far greater variety of features with more play and recreational options over a much larger area."
The park has modern and accessible toilet amenities, making it a breeze for parents with young children, and the foreshore area opposite the park has been rejuvenated over the past two years with beach replenishment works, new shared paths, picnic shelters, BBQs and landscaping.
Council has recently secured $1.4 million funding from the NSW Government to construct a new senior children's playground, being the next stage in the Pop Denison Master Plan. The senior children's playground will feature equipment that caters specifically for older children and includes a double skyrider flying-fox, giant treehouse structure, climbing tunnel, inclusive carousel, and pendulum swing.
Additional paths, shelters, BBQs, landscape features and facilities will also be included with the construction of the senior playground area for the park.
Work on the senior children's playground is planned to commence in early 2023. Further updates will be provided to the community as the timeline is developed for these works.
To learn more visit ballina.nsw.gov.au/PopDenisonPark
