Work starts at Corrigans inclusive playground

Preliminary work will get underway this month at Corrigans Reserve in Batehaven to transform Eurobodalla's largest playground into a place for kids of all abilities.

The inclusive playground is a partnership between Eurobodalla Council and local charity Bay Push, who have already raised funds for the liberty swing and wheelchair access to the beach from the park. Council has committed $100,000 for the project and secured $300,000 from the NSW Government's Club Grants program. The Bay Push received $100,000 in funding towards the playground, also from the NSW Government.

A landscape architect has designed the playground with lots of input from local children and families, and a community advisory committee has provided Council with advice about accessibility requirements.

Existing play equipment will be re-used wherever possible for inclusive use in the new playground, including the ever-popular flying fox. The reused equipment will be complimented with additional new pieces of play equipment.

This month's work will start after the long weekend and the playground area will be closed for a few weeks while stormwater drainage is installed.

Construction of the first stage of the new playground will then start at the end of July and includes repositioning the existing reusable play equipment and the installation of new pieces. The playground will be closed until November while construction is underway.

Council has already installed new accessible picnic settings and shelters at the reserve in recent months, and Director of Infrastructure Warren Sharpe says these are all part of playground's overall design. "It's about creating a place where people of all ages and abilities can socialise and enjoy themselves," he said. "Corrigans is already our biggest playground and once we finish it will be a regional attraction in its own right."

Bay Push and advisory committee representative Charles Stuart is excited to see more work getting started soon. "Council has been careful to plan the work to minimise the time the playground will be out of action while the necessary work is done," Mr Stuart said.

"One thing people have been worried about is that the flying fox won't be included in the new park. I can reassure everyone that it will be, along with lots of other wonderful play equipment. The inclusive playground promises to be a drawcard for locals and visitors and something for the whole community to enjoy and be proud of."