Ten locations across the Central Coast are receiving a playspace renewal, making way for improved and accessible playspaces for locals and visitors.

The ten locations will see $1.1 million of upgrades that have commenced February and are estimated to be complete by April 2024. Locations include Bensville, Gwandalan, Hamlyn Terrace, Kulnura, Mardi, Norah Head, Tumbi Umbi, Wamberal, Woongarrah, Wyoming.

Central Coast Council’s Director Community and Culture, Melanie Smith said Council’s Playspace Strategy ensures playspace assets are maintained through a renewal program based on the age of equipment and its condition.

“Council’s 2020-2025 Playspace Strategy provides strategic direction for the development and sustainable management of playspaces on the Central Coast.” Ms Smith said.

“Council’s planned upgrades ensure these community assets are maintained through a renewal program with regular reviews and a programmed schedule of works to maintain, upgrade and – where necessary - remove old, vandalised, or broken equipment.

“We are excited to see the renewal of the ten playspaces as they play an important role in our community and to visitors to the area. Being a place where children can develop physical, emotional, social and cognitive skills”.

These renewals have included innovative and inclusive recreational upgrades including sensory play panels, swings, nest swings, park furniture, plus, the inclusion of rubber softfall and importantly new concrete pathways to connect the playspaces.  

Playspace locations and renewal works:

• Applegum Park, Woongarrah - play unit with double slide, height chart, net bridge, climbing walls, sensory board, standard swing, nest swing and junior swing, full rubber softfall and pathway.
• Ben Davis Reserve, Bensville - play unit with slide, climbing wall and shop counter, standard swing, nest swing, bike track, flying fox, rubber softfall, park furniture, and pathway.
• Lions Park, Gwandalan - play unit with slide, sensory play panels, a standard swing, nest swing and junior swing, a spring toy, rubber softfall and a pathway linking to an existing path.
• Maidens Brush Reserve, Wyoming – will be retaining the existing large octagonal swing and include a renewal of the play unit with three slides, a climbing wall and shop counter, a rocker, nest swing, rubber and mulch softfall and a new path linking the car park and an inclusion of a disabled parking spot.
• Oregan Place Reserve, Hamlyn Terrace - play unit with a slide, net climber, rocker, spinner, sensory play panels, standard swing, nest swing and junior swing, rubber softfall and pathway.
• Parkland Gardens Reserve, Tumbi Umbi - play unit with a double slide, climbing nets, fireman pole, height chart, nest swing, rocker, with a rubber and mulch softfall and pathway.
• Pioneer Park, Kulnura - play unit with three slides, a climbing net, standard swing, nest swing and junior swing, sensory panels, a seesaw, rocker, rubber and mulch softfall and pathway.
• Wamberal Hall, Wamberal – nature play unit including tri net low climber, cafe shop front wooden drums, timber balance log combo and a rope balance course.
• Woodbury Estate Park, Mardi - play unit with double slide and single slide, shop counter, climbing walls, bird rocker, standard swing, nest swing and junior swing, rubber and mulch softfall, sandstone seating and pathway.
• Young St Reserve, Norah Head – ship-themed play unit with double slide climbing net, seesaw, rocker, standard swing, nest swing and junior swing, mulch softfall, rubber softfall and pathway. 

In addition to the planned renewals. Construction of the playspace at Kariong, next to the new skate park and pump track at Curringa Road commenced 22 January - The local level playspace was designed with input from the community and will include slides, climbing structures, a swing set, spring rocker play equipment (suitable for children aged up to 10 years), plus seating.

Council Administrator, Rik Hart said playspaces and parks play an important role in the lives of the community and visitors.

“These renewals have been made possible thanks to Council's forward planning with funding provided through Council's capital works budget, with assistance of the NSW Government’s Local Small Commitments Allocation Grant Program helping to deliver Wamberal Hall and Maidens Brush Reserve Playspaces,” Mr Hart said.

“I’m pleased to see the renewal of these playspaces which will be enjoyed by the community for years to come and will encourage active lifestyles for the children across the Coast.”

To view the Central Coast Playspace Strategy, playspace FAQs and the region’s playspace map visit centralcoast.nsw.gov.au/playspaces

To view concept images for all ten playspaces search 'Playspace renewals' at centralcoast.nsw.gov.au