Playground upgrades heading west with multimillion dollar investment

Children in the city’s west will have plenty of reasons to get active in 2022 with four playground upgrades to be delivered this year.

Work has commenced on a full playground replacement at McCauley Park in Tarro, while Minmi’s McInnes Reserve will be next with a complete overhaul of its playground equipment to begin next month.

The neighbourhood playground at Bernborough Avenue in Maryland will benefit from an equipment upgrade in coming months as part of the annual playground improvement program, which will see $650,000 invested across four sites including the three western suburbs projects and a new design and equipment upgrade at Kotara Park.

The Wallsend community is also eagerly awaiting the completion of the $1.5 million Active Hub in Federal Park, which commenced construction in 2021 and is expected to be ready for use by July.

Newcastle Lord Mayor Nuatali Nelmes said City of Newcastle was thrilled to be delivering improved recreational opportunities for children across the local government area including those in the growing western corridor.

“We know how much our community values open spaces and their local playgrounds, which is why we’re investing $650,000 to upgrade four local playgrounds this year,” Cr Nelmes said.

“The city’s playgrounds provide local children and families with the opportunity to spend more time outdoors and engage in an active and healthy lifestyle.

“I’m thrilled to see work beginning at McCauley Park in Tarro, which will feature a new-look play area designed to cater for a wide range of ages featuring swings, slides, climbing, and balancing components. I can’t wait to see the projects kick off in Minmi, Maryland and Kotara as well.

“I’m also looking forward to the completion of the Wallsend Active Hub mid this year, which was designed to address the need for non-formal sporting facilities in the city’s western corridor and will include an expanded playspace, bike track, multi-sport courts, rebound wall, climbing wall and fitness stations.

“This $1.5 million project is transforming Federal Park into a vibrant hub of activity and will become a destination not only for residents in surrounding suburbs but for families from outside the area who will enjoy the mix of informal recreational spaces it offers.”

Up to four of Newcastle’s 134 playgrounds are replaced each year as part of the asset renewal works program. City of Newcastle has invested more than $9 million in playground projects during the past five years including construction of the inclusive playground at Stevenson Park at Mayfield, the Stockton and Wallsend Active Hubs and the adventure playground at Richley Reserve.

The Wallsend Active Hub is supported by a $500,000 grant from the NSW Government’s Resources for Regions program.

To stay up to date with the progress and to find out about works in your neighbourhood visit newcastle.nsw.gov.au/works