The finishing touches are being completed at three new playgrounds in our suburban neighbourhoods: Ken Schultz Park in Mount Austin, Ray Beddoe Park in Lake Albert, and Lloyd Park in Lloyd.
The design for each playground was chosen by the community via our online engagement platform, Have Your Say Wagga Wagga, in September 2024.
The project to construct the new playgrounds began in early March 2025, with the transformation of the Ken Schultz playground, located in the park on the corner of Ceduna Street and Nilma Avenue.
This was followed by the installation of the revamped playground design at Lloyd Park.
The final phase has been the construction of the new playground at Ray Beddoe Park on the western side of Lake Albert.
It was the largest of the three upgrades, with the playground relocated closer to the Wagga Wagga Country Club to take advantage of more open space for the larger playground and the installation of a large stainless steel tube slide.
Council's Works and Playground Officer John Conlan says all three play spaces are now open for the community to enjoy.
"I think local residents will be really pleased with how the designs they chose for these playgrounds have turned out now they have been installed," Mr Conlan said.
"They all combine the traditional elements with modern features that you would expect to see at a local neighbourhood level playground, along with interactive sensory equipment and some bespoke elements, such as at the Ray Beddoe Park.
"Kids will be able to climb, swing or slide on the new equipment and just have fun playing in these transformed open spaces."
Each of the new playgrounds cater for children aged from four years old to early teens, and have improved accessibility, with equipment at ground level and paths to make it easier to get around the playgrounds.
The Ray Beddoe works are expected to be completed shortly with the installation of paths and concrete edging around the playground, while the old playground nearby will be removed in the next couple of weeks.
"We are also planning to install shade sails over the new playground. That will depend on the outcome of a current grant application Council has made through the Premier's Department, Department of Communities and Justice – Community Building Partnership Program 2025," Mr Conlan said.
"If we are successful, Council will provide matched funding to enable the shade sails to be put in, hopefully some time in spring."
The upgrades are part of Council's playground replacement program under the Playground Strategy 2024-2044.
