Park upgrades are a family fun three-peat

Community input has been at the forefront of helping choose new facilities and features to create fun, engaging and accessible parks that cater for all the family.

Major upgrade works are now underway at Riverdale Park (Meadowbrook), Alexander Clark Park (Loganholme) and Mabel Park (Slacks Creek)

The upgrades are part of an unprecedented local parks development program that will continue into next year following a $63 million funding allocation in Council’s 2023/24 Budget for the management, maintenance and upgrades of all City of Logan parks over the next 12 months.

City of Logan is home to more than 960 parks and reserves.

The works reflect innovation and safety in design while also incorporating features to ensure hands-on engagement and increased accessibility. 

Popular features in many upgrade plans include basketball half-courts, ninja fitness courses, adventure playgrounds, flying foxes, dry creek beds, swings and slides.

Barbecues, picnic shelters and water bubblers are also being installed while new dog off-leash areas and additional dog waste bins are also planned.

Riverdale Park, Armstrong Road, Meadowbrook

Input from students from Loganlea High School is helping to shape a $2.5 million upgrade of Riverdale Park in Meadowbrook.

Students from the school’s Year 9 Signature class were invited by Logan City Council Lifestyle Chair and Division 6 Councillor Tony Hall to be ‘Councillors for a Day’.

One of their tasks was to settle on a theme for the new equipment to be installed at Riverdale Park.

While a pirate theme was popular early, a dinosaur theme was the majority decision.

The students speculated that playing in a dinosaur-themed park would bring children together for fun while a pirate-theme might encourage them to play fight-based games.

Proposed works include a new playground, exercise equipment, picnic shelters and barbecue facilities.

Cr Hall was accompanied by Mayor Darren Power, Loganlea SHS principal Brenton Farleigh, and his Year 9 student in turning turn the first sod for the project which includes Division 6 Local Infrastructure Program funding.

“We engaged with local school students on what they would like in the park and the feedback was overwhelming for the new additions to have a dinosaur theme, so that’s what we are going to do. I can’t wait to see it finished later this year,” Cr Hall said.

Alexander Clark Park, Dewar Drive, Loganholme

The first two stages of a $6.34 million upgrade are now underway and are expected to be completed in late November 2023, subject to suitable weather and construction conditions.

The main playground will get a range of new play equipment and facilities.

These include a feature play tower, water play equipment, flying fox, slides, swings, children’s bike track, active sports area, park shelters, park furniture, shade sails and sensory garden.

Stage 3, which includes a new park entrance, additional parking and new boardwalks, is expected to completed in 2024 with two more stages to follow on a timeline yet to be finalised.

Other works will include an active sports area with basketball and volleyball courts, handball court, a multi-purpose open space, additional parking, a new toilet block and upgrades to existing walking tracks.

Division 10 Councillor Miriam Stemp also has helped turn the first sod on a $6.34 million tagged upgrade at Alexander Clark Park in Dewar Drive at Loganholme. The project includes Division 10 Local Infrastructure Program funding.

“These works will cement Alexander Clark Park’s reputation as one of the best multi-use parks in the city with something for everyone irrespective of your age. Once finished it will be a perfect location for a family day out,” Cr Stemp said.

Mabel Park, Paradise Road, Slacks Creek

Nestled next to Mabel Park Primary and High Schools, this park is one of the most popular and well-used in the City of Logan.

Works began last week on a $1.8 million upgrade to the existing playground upgrade with a large bespoke play tower and new shade sails to be installed.

New nature play elements include small waterplay components such as misters and water pumps along with balancing logs and stepping stones.

Other additions will include a junior bike skills track, new fitness station, new seating and shelters. The dog off-leash area will also be upgraded.

Division 3 Councillor Mindy Russell was joined local primary and secondary students to turn the first sod on the upgrade on Wednesday, July 19. The project includes Division 3 Local Infrastructure Program funding.

“Slacks Creek is booming as a suburb and this park upgrade is a terrific investment that will provide facilities to help nurture the minds and bodies of the many young people in the neighbourhood who use Mabel Park regularly,” Cr Russell said.