This August work will begin to improve playgrounds across the Bega Valley, including installing inclusive play equipment and even a 35metre flying fox in Cobargo.
Subscribe now for unlimited access.
$0/
(min cost $0)
or signup to continue reading
The NSW government provided $300,000 for the upgrades, which includes $98,000 for Wyndham Memorial Park, $82,000 for Bemboka Bicentennial Reserve, $75,000 for Cobargo Apex Park and $45,000 for Ray Whyman Reserve at Mogareeka.
Bega Valley Shire Council contributed an extra $110,000 to the four reserves which recreation projects officer Noel Whittem said together with the grant funding would pay for land management, beautification and asset renewal works.
The inclusive equipment will include a basket swing installed at each reserve as well as an inclusive spinning dish at Bemboka and Wyndham playgrounds.
"Additional pathways will be constructed at each reserve to maximise accessibility to each playground and BBQ/picnic shelter," Mr Whittem said.
"Disabled carparks will be installed at Bemboka and Wyndham and possibly at Tathra Lions Park pending consultations with the Tathra Lions Club and approval from council's traffic committee."
He said in order to develop the playground plans council held community meetings at Cobargo, Wyndham, and Bemboka over the past four months.
The future users of the park were also able to have their say, as following visits to Cobargo, Bemboka and Wyndham primary schools children were able to vote on their preferred option in a secret ballot.
Mr Whittem said funding for the Ray Whyman Reserve was reallocated to the Tathra Lions Park following community consultation which favoured the former pirate ship play facility being replaced with a new pirate ship at the Tathra Lions Park which was less susceptible to flooding from future storm events.
The installation of the play equipment by Moduplay should take about four weeks and will be followed by the installation of park furniture.
The completion date of April 2020 was specified under funding conditions.
Upgrades planned for playgrounds
Different works are planned for each of the four playgrounds.
Bemboka Bicentennial Park
- Removal of all existing play equipment and installation of new play equipment;
- Construction of an all-accessible pathway from a new disabled carpark linking with the existing concrete pathway to Bemboka Swimming Pool, the Pioneer Trail, the playground and the barbecue/picnic shelter;
- Installation of new all-accessible barbecue shelter/picnic facility and other park furniture including seating and bubbler;
- Putting plants along the roadside to prevent children running on road from playground; and
- Extending the existing Pioneer Trail to the Bemboka Public School with a crushed granite pathway.
Cobargo Apex Park
- Installation of new play equipment including a 35m Skyrider flying fox and retention of some existing play equipment;
- Construction of an all-accessible pathway to the playground and barbecue/picnic shelter;
- Installation of new all-accessible barbecue shelter/picnic facility and other park furniture including seating and bubbler. The existing barbecue will be moved to sit within a new shelter; and
- Construction of crushed granite pathway to connect with the River Walk Trail along Narira Creek.
Tathra Lions Park
- Installation of new play equipment including a new pirate ship following damage to old pirate ship, formerly located at Ray Whyman Reserve, following flooding associated with east coast low in 2016;
- Construction of an all-accessible pathway from proposed new disabled carpark - subject to consultation with Tathra Lions and approval by council's traffic committee - to be installed linking with playground.
Wyndham Memorial Park
- Removal of all existing play equipment and installation of new play equipment;
- Construction of an all-accessible pathway from new disabled carpark to be installed linking with existing barbecue shelter, gazebo, war memorial and playground;
- Installation of new park furniture including seating and bubbler; and
- Installation of new fence on eastern and southern boundaries.
Albert McKnight
Journalist at Bega District News.
Journalist at Bega District News.
