WORK has started this week at Corrigan’s Reserve in Batehaven to transform Eurobodalla’s largest playground into a place for kids of all abilities.
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After a concerted fundraising drive and lobbying by the disability advocacy group The Bay Push, the park will soon be a reality.
A Eurobodalla Shire Council spokeswoman said the playground would be fenced off and closed until early December.
In the that time, the playground would be “rebuilt with colourful curved pathways to create new play spaces, new landscaping, and exciting new play equipment to complement existing pieces, including the popular flying fox”, she said.
“A landscape architect designed the playground with lots of input from local children and families, and a community advisory committee has provided the council with advice about accessibility requirements.
“The council has already installed new accessible picnic settings and shelters at the reserve in recent months.
Director of infrastructure Warren Sharpe said the new park would be for everyone.
“It’s about creating a place where people of all ages and abilities can socialise and enjoy themselves,” he said.
“Corrigan’s is already our biggest playground and once we finish it will a regional attraction in its own right.
“This is stage one of the project and the first thing people will notice is stormwater work and the power being relocated underground,” he said.
“Once that work is complete, you’ll start to see the playground itself take shape, with our construction and parks and gardens teams working together to build the new space.
“We’re grateful to the Batemans Bay markets people who’ve cooperated with us while the big job of relocating the power is carried out by Essential Energy.
“While we know people will miss the park while it’s closed for a few months, it will be well worth the wait to see it transformed into a bigger and better playground for everyone for use.”
The Bay Push raised funds for a liberty swing and wheelchair access to the beach from the park.
The council has committed $100,000 for the project and secured $300,000 from the NSW Government’s Club Grants program.
The Bay Push received $100,000 in funding towards the playground, also from the NSW Government.
Further stages of the project, which will involve even more exciting playground equipment and landscaping works, will be undertaken once further funding can be secured.
