Funding confirmed for St Johns Park upgrade

Council has successfully secured a $500,000 grant to upgrade St Johns Park play space at Blaxland Oval. The funds, promised during the 2019 federal election, will provide new equipment and improvements that make the space inclusive for users of all abilities. 

Current play equipment will be retained in the upgrade, while the proposed changes will include a new accessible toilet; elements of nature play; a sensory walk, including features that focus on touch and motor skills; picnic and seating areas; additional tree plantings; accessible parking spaces, connected pathways; fencing near the road; new equipment suitable for all levels of ability, as well as surrounding landscaping. 

St Johns Park is one of five local parks in the Blue Mountains designed to cater for several suburbs or towns.

During a previous community consultation session for this play space, approximately 100 attendees visited in person, and others gave feedback online via Councils’ Have Your Say website. In these consultations, Council presented possible concepts to the park’s most frequent users and sought feedback on the outcomes that might provide an ideal play space. Another round of consultation is planned before the construction commences. Register on Have Your Say to give feedback when the consultation becomes available.

“It’s fantastic to receive this grant,” Mayor Mark Greenhill said. “St Johns Park provides a play space for so many users. This kind of funding can take us into a future where parks are for everyone – something that we are moving towards throughout the Mountains.” 

To find out more Council’s parks visit www.bmcc.nsw.gov.au/parks, or register to keep up to date on this project at https://yoursay.bmcc.nsw.gov.au.  

Image: Mayor Mark Greenhill at St Johns Park play equipment.