Wollongong City Council General Manager David Farmer with local school children has officially opened the new $500,000 regional playground at Towradgi Park.
 
This new playground is an innovative play space that replaces a popular existing playground which had deteriorated and had served the community well over the past decade.
 
Mr Farmer said the new playground compliments nearby picnic shelters and barbecues at this popular foreshore park, which is fast becoming one of the city’s key recreation destinations.

“In addition to the play equipment the regional playground also features the creations of local school children, junior surf life savers and football players in the murals and art expression poles,” Mr Farmer said.
 
"The new murals on adjoining buildings and expression poles were designed and painted by local children and will compliment the new play space and are aligned to Council's approach to Graffiti Management."

The key elements of the playground were derived from consultation with local school children. The children said they wished to climb, spin, slide, rock and swing. The playground features a maritime theme aligned to the nearby 1800s ship wreck of the Queen of Nations and is boarded by black rocks, a feature of the nearby Towradgi Point. 

These requests were captured by creative Landscape Architecture Consultant Ian Jackson who worked with Council staff in the design of a unique play area for local and visiting children.
 
The playground has been constructed by a local firm Landform Landscape Constructions and Council anticipates there will be a high demand from parents and children looking for fun and challenging play opportunities. The new playground has been under construction since February 2011.

 Visit Council’s website at http://www.wollongong.nsw.gov.au/facilities/parks/Pages/default.aspx for information on the City’s parks and gardens.