MEDIA RELEASE

Local youngsters and the young at heart can now enjoy more exciting outdoor experiences right across Sutherland Shire thanks to several recent playground renewals which will provide top-notch adventures for active families all year round.

As part of the annual program of playground renewal projects, Sutherland Shire Council is committed to ensuring these valued community assets are updated as required to promote active and healthy lifestyles, enhance play experiences, introduce improved safety measures, and provide more accessible features for our growing community.

Old School Park, Gymea Bay is the latest site to benefit from playground and park improvements, with several young ones out on site today giving an enthusiastic endorsement to the project as some of the first users of the new facilities.

Following strong engagement from residents during the consultation phase of the project, Council has rebuilt the playground to create a more vibrant and inclusive play facility. With a broader range of play equipment to suit more age groups and improvements to the park surrounds, Old School Park is now a wonderful space for our community to connect and play.

Beyond the exciting new play equipment, some project highlights include a new picnic shelter, new bench seating and additional picnic tables to provide more comfortable gathering spaces, a wider central pathway to improve accessibility and a combination of synthetic grass, wetpour rubber and mulch softfall.

Sutherland Shire Mayor, Councillor Carmelo Pesce said he was pleased to see yet another impressive playground renewal come to completion for many locals to discover.

“It’s always exciting to see the completion of another fantastic playground project, particularly because we know how much residents value our beautiful open spaces and quality recreational facilities that provide hours of entertainment with safe and inclusive park features for the whole family to enjoy,” Mayor Pesce said.

“With over 150 playgrounds of different shapes and sizes in Sutherland Shire, families are spoiled for choice in selecting their local favourites, and with more renewal projects for the future we aim to ensure all local outdoor play spaces continue to be cherished for generations to come.”

Additional projects included in this year’s renewal program include:

  • Billa Road Oval, 4R Bandalong Crescent, Bangor
  • Bundeena Oval, Bundeena, 17R-37R Liverpool Street, Bundeena
  • Canberra Road Oval, 32-34 Canberra Road, Sylvania (near Melrose Ave)
  • Corea Oval, 244-260 Box Road, Sylvania
  • Albert Hutchinson Reserve, 1 Robertson Street, Sutherland
  • Veno Street Reserve, 1331 Princes Highway, Heathcote (corner of Veno Street)
  • Heritage Drive Oval, 21 Heritage Drive, Illawong (due for completion late August)
  • Jackson Close Reserve, 20 Power Place, Menai (due for completion in late August)
  • Glencoe Street Reserve, 524R President Avenue, Sutherland (due for completion in September)

Some of the features included in these recent playground projects offer new play equipment suitable for a range of ages and abilities, improved pathways for accessibility, new fencing for safety and shade structures, and improved landscaping.

“In recent months Council has been working hard to complete several playground renewals despite challenging weather circumstances, and we are thrilled to confirm many of these spaces are now open for play,” Mayor Pesce said.

“We value the feedback that residents provide in community consultation opportunities to help shape future playground upgrades, and I encourage residents to keep an eye out for future playground projects which they can contribute to.”

Sutherland Shire Council is currently inviting community feedback on a playground renewal proposal for Roger Summers Reserve Playground, Bundeena, to improve the condition, safety and recreational qualities of the playground and reserve.

Residents can provide feedback on how they use the area and facilities, and what improvements they believe would be best suited for this project. Feedback can be made via Council’s Join the Conversation platform until 10 August 2022: www.jointheconversation.sutherlandshire.nsw.gov.au