Our public spaces open up in trial

A trial to transform public areas into more user-friendly, safe spaces kicked off with great success in Balgowlah and Dee Why earlier this month.

The Streets as Shared Spaces project, funded by NSW Government and managed by Council, aims to support local businesses during COVID-19, while bringing our community together in a safe way.

Each event sees road closures so pedestrians and cyclists can enjoy more open space, while safely social distancing. At some locations, local shops and restaurants are trading outdoors, and children can enjoy footpath activations like mazes and hopscotch.

The feedback from the event in Dee Why, where the Strand was closed over a weekend, saw overwhelmingly positive feedback:

“Great vibe created for locals more space for social distancing in a popular area.”

“Just makes the whole area more family friendly and helps the restaurants along the Strand.”

The Streets as Shared Spaces program now moves to Newport and Tania Park, Balgowlah from Friday 13 – Monday 16 November and Mona Vale between Thursday 19 - Monday 23 November.

At Newport, you can enjoy dinner under the stars on the Friday night with your favourite local restaurants operating outside on Robertson Road. On Saturday, you can pick up some fresh fruit and veggies at the produce market between 8am-12pm and Sunday kids can enjoy hopscotch and maze decals on the footpaths.

Tania Park will see the road surrounding the oval closed to open up the space for more to enjoy safely.

In Mona Vale, there will be some extra seating provided, hopscotch decals to enjoy and businesses trading out onto the footpath.

If you visit the Newport event this weekend, have your say about the trial program.