Kids across the coast will be squealing with delight with an abundance of new playspaces to visit across the Central Coast and more in the works.

The past twelve months has seen the design, construction and delivery of 18 new or renewed local playspaces across the region, five playspace upgrades with the best and biggest soon to come. Community feedback has guided the concept plans for the district playspace at Empire Bay (recently completed), with works soon to commence on regional sized playspace at Green Point’s Sun Valley Park and two other district level playspaces at Toowoon Bay and Susan Fahey Park, Copacabana.

Council’s Environment and Planning Director, Scott Cox said Council proudly manage and maintain over 260 playspaces across the Central Coast which are loved by both residents and visitors to our region.

“The draft Central Coast Playspace Strategy is currently on public exhibition and we encourage the community to jump online to review and submit comments by 14 August," Mr Cox said.

“The strategy was developed to set consistent guidelines and goals for the development and sustainable management of playspaces across the whole Central Coast region. The Playspace Strategy also ensures future playspaces are appropriately located with equal distribution across the region, and are well designed, inclusive and will further develop our network of quality playspaces to provide a range of play experiences catering to the varied needs of our community.

“Our 20-year management program provides a long-term strategy for regular inspection, repair, replacement and upgrades to ensure the safety and maintenance of these valued playspaces."

Mayor Lisa Matthews is proud to see an abundance of new playspaces that deliver on our communities’ vision for activated open spaces and places for everyone to have fun.

“Playgrounds are important spaces, through which the community builds social networks and keeps active. Playspaces can also increase tourism and economic activity in the surrounding areas,” Mayor Matthews said.

“Effectively designed playgrounds and parks encourage play at all levels and offer a place for children to learn, exercise, reflect, run, explore and take safe risks; they are places where children can meet with friends and have fun with family members.

“Council will continue to invest in playspaces and seek and secure grant funding from all levels of Government to deliver the best for our community.”

To view the draft Central Coast Playspace Strategy, playspace FAQs and list of region’s playspaces go to yourvoiceourcoast.com.

FY2019-20 PLAYSPACE DELIVERIES

Regional playspace

• Green Point, Sun Valley Park redevelopment including regional playspace. Two round of community consultation have been undertaken with input used to finalise concept designs. Construction will soon commence and due for completion by the end of 2020. This project is proudly funded by the NSW Government in association with Central Coast Council.
• Lake Munmorah Recreational Facility incorporating a skate park, inclusive regional playspace and active youth space. The second round of community consultation has just concluded with feedback now being reviewed to finalise concept designs and plan construction. 

District playspaces

Community consultation activities were undertaken with feedback used to guide concept designs and plans for the following district level playspaces:

• Empire Bay - Shelly Beach Rd. Construction underway and nearing completion by end of July. This project is funded by NSW Government through the Stronger Communities Fund and Central Coast Council.
• Copacabana - Susan Fahey Park. Concept plans finalised with construction soon to be underway. This project is jointly funded by Central Coast Council with grant funding from the NSW Government’s Everyone Can Play Program.
• Toowoon Bay - Swadling Reserve. Construction soon to commence.
• Gorokan, Wallarah Point Peace Park. Construction underway and due for completion by the end of July 2020.

For more information go to www.yourvoiceourcoast.com

Recreational Precincts, including playspace

• Tunkuwallin Oval Precinct Plan, including playspace and skate park. Second round of consultation now open on concept plans until 20 July.
• Heazlett Park Recreational Precinct improvement works - connective pathways, outdoor fitness equipment, outdoor shower and park seating. Construction underway and due for completion by the end of July 2020.  Funded by Council and NSW Government.

 Local playspace new or renewed

• Avoca - Walder Cres local playspace *construction almost complete
• Canton Beach - Beach Parade local playspace
• Chain Valley Bay - Sunset Parade Foreshore local playspace
• Forresters Beach - Crystal St playspace (Funded by NSW Government Stronger Communities Fund)
• Gorokan - Pipeclay Point Reserve, Dalnott Rd local playspace
• Halekulani - Arnold Close Reserve local playspace upgrade
• Kincumber - Pinyari Park local playspace (Funded by Australian Government)
• Lisarow - Condula Park local playspace
• Mangrove Mountain, Bloodtree Oval local playspace (community consultation undertaken for design)
• Narara, Gavenlock Oval playspace
• Narara, Goonak Parade playspace
• Narara, Treeline Close local playspace
• Point Clare, Fagans Park local playspace
• Summerland Point, Boat Harbour local playspace
• Umina, Brisbane Ave local playspace
• Umina, Lentara Reserve local playspace
• Wadalba, Voyager Street Reserve
• Warnervale, Warnervale Station local playspace

 Playspace upgrades

• Berkeley Vale, Kurraba Oval District Playspace shade sail installation
• Terrigal Rotary Park shade sail and softfall
• Budgewoi, Mackenzie Reserve update with Liberty Swing Installation.
• Long Jetty, Saltwater Creek playspace update with softfall renewal.
• North Entrance Terilbah local playspace updates with connective concrete pathways and softfall installation
• Umina, Peninsula Recreational Precinct playspace – upgrade with softfall installation