Five Wollongong playgrounds have been given a new lease on life as part of Wollongong City Council's playground renewal program for 2024-25 boasting a range of new options for families to enjoy.
The temporary fencing surrounding Chounding Crescent Playground at Bellambi came down a fortnight ago, calling a wrap on the 2024-25 program that has also seen play spaces at Thirroul, Mount Ousley, Wollongong and Lake Heights renewed and open for business.
The targeted playgrounds were replaced as part of Council's playground renewal program that see's our well-loved, older playgrounds renewed with modern play equipment specifically catering to the needs of the surrounding local community.
These playgrounds, unlike our larger regional play facilities, are designed for local children to enjoy within their suburb, creating a space for parents and caregivers to enjoy the outdoors.
The program of renewal works looked to create new, exciting play spaces for kids to enjoy, while also incorporating contemporary accessibility standards and supporting infrastructure like new connecting footpaths.
"The benefits of outdoor play to both the physical and mental health of children, parents and carers are well established, particularly at a time where devices are playing a bigger and bigger role in our lives," Lord Mayor of Wollongong Councillor Tania Brown said.
"The diverse range of valuable recreational spaces Council constructs and maintains across our LGA may vary in size and scale, but all are of equal importance to the local neighbourhoods they serve. It is essential that we provide local inclusive and accessible facilities that build a sense of community and belonging and can be safely enjoyed by people of all ages.
"We're delighted to see these five playgrounds re-opened to ensure our youngest residents can enjoy time with friends and family, and to help build connected and healthy local communities".
The playgrounds that have undergone renewal are:
- JJ Kelly Park Playground (Wollongong)
- Fred Woodward Park, Treetop Glen Playground (Thirroul)
- Aristo Park Playground (Mount Ousley)
- Chounding Crescent Reserve Playground (Bellambi)
- Whimbrel Park Playground (Lake Heights)
Works at JJ Kelly Park were designed to cater for a broader demographic and included the installation of an accessible spinner designed especially for wheelchair users, a climbing circuit with two slide opportunities for a wide range of users and fencing for security.
Aristo Park Playground was relocated to parkland at the end of Aristo Crescent, significantly improving access to the play space and utilisation, while works at JJ Kelly Park, Treetop Glen and Chounding Crescent also included the construction of connecting footpaths for improved access for visitors.
The works at Lake Heights included the installation of a new combination unit with multiple climbing opportunities, two slides, including a smaller slide for younger children, a simple balance trail, skateboard spring rocker, and a nest swing for more inclusive group play.
Council's management and maintenance of its 154 playgrounds is informed by our Play Wollongong Strategy (2014-2024), which looks to ensure Wollongong offers a range of play spaces that meet varying community needs and are spread equitably across the city. This Strategy will be reviewed in 2025, when we will be seeking community input into this strategy.
