New and improved play equipment for city kids

Children of all ages will soon enjoy updated play equipment at small parks and playgrounds across the inner city.

The City of Sydney will upgrade 10 small parks and playgrounds, with improvements to include new play equipment, nature play areas, easier access, extra seating and more trees.

Lord Mayor Clover Moore said the program is part of the City’s long-term plan to upgrade more than 60 green spaces across the local area, from small playgrounds to large local parks.

“Our parks and playgrounds provide safe and accessible open space for local and visiting children to play and explore,” the Lord Mayor said.

“We continue to upgrade our existing playgrounds and build new parks and recreation spaces for the growing number of families with children in our city.

“These park upgrades will also add more trees and plants, increase our urban canopy and provide quality open space that people of all ages can enjoy.”

Park and playground upgrades include:

Beaconsfield Park Playground, Beaconsfield – new play equipment including a tower with slides, climbing nets, swings, shop front and see-saw; imaginative and nature play areas; and a refurbished BBQ area Cardigan Street Reserve, Glebe – new native plants and turf; and repairs to fences and walls Clyne Reserve, Millers Point – new play structure, swing set; and nature play area Daniel Dawson Reserve, Alexandria – new play mound with tower; embankment slide, climbing nets, swing and spinner; nature play area and sensory planting; and new picnic tables Fig Lane Park Playground, Ultimo – two new play structures for younger and older children including a new double swing; and nature play areas Hollis Park Playground, Newtown – new play structure, moving play pieces and slides; climbing ropes; swings; new picnic tables and benches; and ground levelling to improve access James Hilder Playground, Surry Hills – new play equipment including a tower with slides, cubby house, climbing nets and swings; balance beams and see-saw; nature play and sensory planting; new paved forecourt; and new fitness station; Kings Lane Reserve, Darlinghurst – improvements to safety, views and access Palmerston Avenue Steps, Glebe – upgraded green space and improvements to access and safety Strickland Park and Playground, Chippendale – new play structure and basket swing; nature play area and sensory planting; and picnic area

Other upgrades include new shade structures, softfall surfaces and bubblers with dog bowls. The City will also install extra seating and add more trees and plants to these spaces.

The City consulted the community in May and June this year and received broad support for the planned upgrades. A number of suggestions from local communities were included in the final proposals.

Construction and landscaping work is expected to start in early 2020.

Since 2005, the City has created 21 new parks and completed major upgrades on 100 existing parks.

New parks and playgrounds under design include: the City Centre Playground in Cook + Phillip Park, Wimbo Park in Surry Hills, and The Drying Green and Gunyama Park in Green Square.

Parks being upgraded include: Shannon Reserve Playground in Surry Hills, Ross Street Playground in Forest Lodge, Crete Reserve Playground in Rosebery, Maybanke Park in Pyrmont, Les White Reserve in Alexandria, Lawrence Hargrave Reserve in Elizabeth Bay, Ernest Pedersen Playground in Glebe, Womerah Gardens in Darlinghurst and the pathways at Observatory Hill in Millers Point.

For more information about the City’s parks and playgrounds visit cityofsydney.nsw.gov.au/explore/facilities/parks

For media inquiries or images, contact Angela Salt or Roxanne Macara. Phone 0455 958 503 or email [email protected]

For interviews with Lord Mayor Clover Moore, contact Jack Begbie. Phone 0481 759 580 or email [email protected]