Accessibility upgrades for district parks

Upcoming development of Blue Mountains district parks will include vital upgrades to accessibility.

District parks at Blackheath, Wentworth Falls, Springwood and Glenbrook will receive upgrades over the next three years, valued at more than $5.2 million, thanks to funding received through the Western Parkland City Liveability Program. Mayor Mark Greenhill said projects will include improving accessibility, so all members of our community can enjoy these places.

“Physically accessible neighbourhoods are important for all sectors of our community, not just older citizens or people living with a disability,” Cr Greenhill said.

“Seventy per cent of Blue Mountains residents visit parks and gardens at least monthly. Our larger district parks – at Glenbrook, Buttenshaw Park at Springwood, Wentworth Falls Lake and Blackheath Soldiers Memorial Park – are our most popular.  But these parks are not accessible for all ages and all abilities, so we intend to improve that.

“We will provide accessible path networks that connect to key routes, accessible toilets in high use areas and more marked accessible parking bays.”

A new accessible toilet block connected with new accessible pedestrian pathways, valued at $928,000, will be built at Blackheath Soldiers Memorial Park.  Further upgrades will take place at Wentworth Falls Lake Park valued at $1.75 million, including an accessible pathway and accessible viewing platform on the north side of the lake. An adventure youth space, valued at $1.52 million, will be built at Springwood’s Buttenshaw Park and will provide for accessible and inclusive play, as well as a new accessible pathway.  Glenbrook Park will also receive a new inclusive and accessible extension to the play area catering for seven to 12 year olds, valued at $1.07 million.  

Community consultation will be conducted during the detailed design phase for all projects. 

A key direction in Council’s Disability Inclusion Action Plan 2018-2021 is to develop suitable infrastructure to help people of all abilities to enjoy and use our public areas and parks and to move easily around the City.

“We want to be an inclusive community that is respectful and accessible to everyone,” Cr Greenhill said.

The projects, including accessibility components, have been funded under the Western Parkland City Liveability Program which is part of the Western Sydney City Deal (WSCD).  The WSCD is a 20 year-agreement between Australian and NSW governments, and the eight local Councils of the Western Parkland City.

VIDEO: Blackheath resident SJ Staszak shares her current experience getting around Blackheath Soldiers Memorial Park and what planned upgrades will mean to her

Photo: SJ Staszak at Blackheath Soldiers Memorial Park.