Rockhampton Regional Council has officially named the new park and playground on Springfield Drive, Norman Gardens, as John Broad Park.
As an active member of the community, Mr Broad served as the President and Secretary for AFL Capricornia, Rockhampton Panthers and the Capricornia Junior AFL for more than two decades.
Parks, Sport and Public Spaces Councillor Cherie Rutherford said he was also a former Rockhampton City Councillor, serving the community for nearly two decades, during which he held the role of Parks, Sport and Recreation Committee Chairman from 1982–1990 and again from 2000–2008.
"A lot of the major sporting facilities we have and enjoy today are because of his drive and hard work for his community," Cr Rutherford said.
"As the Chairman of Parks, Cr Broad worked closely with the Director of Parks, Tom Wyatt to change the face of Rockhampton through landscaping and beautification, development of recreational and sporting spaces as well as establishing the Heritage Village and many other projects.
"It is fitting that his outstanding contribution and lasting legacies are recognised and honoured by the naming of this park, John Broad Park.
"Cr Broad was an enthusiastic councillor who was very passionate about the parks and recreation spaces, particularly sport.
"He also set up the City Games and put an awful lot of work into the Rockhampton Show as well, ensuring it still is an annual event on our Rockhampton calendar."
The park, located on Springfield Drive, has been open since July this year and features a ninja-themed playground.
"We completed the playground a few months ago and invited the community to help name the park by submitting suggestions," Cr Rutherford said.
"We received many responses, and we thank everyone who made suggestions, our officers had a hard job narrowing down the options."
Divisional Councillor Shane Latcham said the park has already become a community favourite.
"This park has been very popular since opening," Cr Latcham said.
"Now that Council has decided on a name, we will be able to install signage and, in the coming weeks, we will be adding a shade structure.
"The community was quite vocal about the need for shade, so we factored that into our 2025/2026 budget and works will get underway in about a fortnight.
"We hope the John Broad Park will continue to delight children of all ages and abilities and will be a place where the neighbourhood can gather and enjoy."
