Families across the Coast now have access to even more exciting playspaces with Central Coast Council recently completing construction on playspace projects at Budgewoi, Umina Beach, Woy Woy, Copacabana, Gwandalan and San Remo.

Over recent months Council has completed improvement works on popular playspaces at Susan Fahey Park, Copacabana and John Pete Howard Reserve, San Remo and has also opened Australia Avenue Local Playspace at Umina Beach, Halekulani Oval Playspace at Budgewoi, South Eastern Park at Gwandalan, Vernon Park at Umina Beach and Anderson Park Playspace at Woy Woy.

Council Director Community and Recreation Services, Julie Vaughan said these new spaces have been guided by community feedback as part of Council’s recently adopted Central Coast Playspace Strategy.

“Council operates and maintains over 260 playspaces across the Central Coast and we are thrilled to announce that a number of new playspaces are now open for the community to enjoy,” Ms Vaughan said.

“This includes an innovative new district size playspace at Susan Fahey Park in Copacabana, which has been jointly funded by Central Coast Council with grant funding from the NSW Government’s Everyone Can Play Program.

“The playspace has been upgraded with a range of exciting features including an outdoor ping pong table and chess table, adult fitness equipment, accessible BBQs and a picnic shelter, as well as an inclusive play unit.

“All of these new areas are safe, inclusive and accessible for the whole community to enjoy. Most importantly, they have been shaped as a result of valuable community feedback to ensure we deliver spaces that reflect the needs and wants of local residents.”

Council Administrator, Rik Hart said this new infrastructure supports Council’s vision to have a network of high quality playspaces which support social engagement, are creative, enjoyable, appropriately sited, equitably distributed and sustainably managed.

“The heart of any neighbourhood, playspaces are important community hubs where people of all ages and interests can connect, socialise, learn and lead active lifestyles,” Mr Hart said.

“Council is committed to investing in innovative and high quality playspaces that deliver the best for our community and contribute to active lifestyles of our children, however in three years’ time we will be facing an annual income loss of $25million and this means some of the service reductions our community is vocalising now will worsen.

“Without maintaining the 15 percent special variation for the life of the 10-year Long Term Financial Plan, Council may again find itself in a dire financial situation.”

New playspaces to explore:

• Susan Fahey Park, Copacabana – Upgrade works completed on new district-level playspace, jointly funded by Central Coast Council with grant funding from the NSW Government’s Everyone Can Play Program.
• John Pete Howard Reserve, San Remo – Upgrade works completed on new district-level playspace, funded by Local Infrastructure Contributions (Development Contributions).
• Australia Ave Local Playspace, Umina Beach – Construction completed on new nature themed local playspace, funded by Local Infrastructure Contributions (Development Contributions).
• Vernon Park, Umina Beach (Ryans Rd) – Construction completed on new local playspace, funded by Local Infrastructure Contributions (Development Contributions).
• Halekulani Oval Playspace, Budgewoi – Construction completed on new local playspace, funded by the NSW Government’s My Community Project 2019.
• Anderson Park Playspace, Woy Woy – Construction completed on new local playspace, funded by Local Infrastructure Contributions (Development Contributions).
• South Eastern Park, Gwandalan – Construction completed on new nature themed local playspace, funded by Local Infrastructure Contributions (Development Contributions).

Outdoor playgrounds in the Central Coast region currently remain open for exercise purposes, and Council is working to ensure as many areas as possible are available to support social distancing.

Pelican Park playspace, Woy Woy update: Council is listening to the community and acknowledges the community’s concerns and questions around the playspace and other projects as part of Woy Woy’s masterplan, which will be addressed as part of upcoming engagement to consult with the broader community.

More information and details of the timing for the consultation will be released soon and all opportunities for community participation in engagement activities will be promoted.

Learn about Council’s strategic direction for the development and sustainable management of playspaces across the coast, search ‘playspace’ at centralcoast.nsw.gov.au