Central Coast News

Council’s 2020-25 Playspace Strategy provides strategic direction for the development and sustainable management of playspaces on the Central Coast which will  see $1.29 million of upgrades commencing in March 2023.

During the renewal period, ten playspace locations will be closed for construction and reopened by end April 2023. The renewals include one district, and nine local playspaces with two requiring relocation and one converted into a natural playspace.

Central Coast Council Director Community and Culture, Mel Smith said Council’s Strategy ensures these community assets are maintained through a renewal program with regular reviews and a programmed schedule of works to maintain, upgrade and – where necessary - remove old, vandalised, or broken equipment.   

“The physical location of playspaces and how they are spatially distributed across the region are important in determining how frequently they are used by the community,” Ms Smith said.

“Council aims to ensure that there is a network of well designed, inclusive, enjoyable appropriately sited playspaces that provide diversity in play experiences. 

“Foremost, our priority is to ensure that all our play spaces are safe and meet Australian standards.”

Playspace locations in 2023 renewal upgrades:
•    Mackenzie Reserve, Budgewoi 
•    Bluebell Park Playspace, Berkeley Vale 
•    Gurdon Reserve playspace, Woy Woy Bay 
•    Koolewong Foreshore Reserve, Koolewong
•    Oakland Ave Playspace, Wyongah 
•    Osborne Park Playspace, Toukley 
•    Pioneer Park Playspace, Killarney Vale 
•    Tonkiss St Payspace, Tuggerah 
•    Wycombe Rd Playspace, Terrigal 
•    McKellar Blvd Playspace, Blue Haven (relocation) from Birdwood Ave to McKellar Boulevarde 

Central Coast Council Administrator Rik Hart said playspaces and parks play an important role in the lives of our community and visitors to the area.  

“They are places in which we socialise, keep active and engage as a community,” Mr Hart said. 

“For our children – besides being lots of fun – play spaces develop their physical, emotional, social and cognitive skills.”

Access the new Council Playspaces Map to find where playspaces are located across the Central Coast.

The ten renewed playspaces are to include:

Budgewoi, Mackenzie Reserve district playspace (concept image above). This district level playspace, which is popular with locals and visitors, offers a variety of active and dynamic play opportunities as well as sensory, creative and natural play areas to align with the Central Coast Playspace Strategy.  Components of the existing playspace will be upgraded as it has reached the end of its life cycle and is due for a renewal. New equipment will include two slides, rope bridge, slide pole, nest swing, three standard swings including a junior swing, a dual flying fox with one accessible seat, two rockers, a petrol station, a kids bike path around the play area and sculptures for sensory play. Some of the existing equipment (spider net climbing frame, and liberty swing) has been renovated and retained as part of the upgrade. A new concrete pathway will be constructed to connect the playspace, and park furniture, plus rubber softfall into and around the playspace to promote accessibility and inclusion. Established trees have been retained and new shade structures installed to provide additional sun protection over the playspace. Infrastructure such as waste and recycling bin enclosures will be retained, and a water drinking station installed to keep everyone hydrated. 

Berkeley Vale, Bluebell Park local playspace. The ageing play equipment will be replaced with a new shop front, slide, two standard swings, a nest swing, seesaw and four in a row game. A new concrete pathway will be constructed to connect the playspace with natural stone seating, plus rubber softfall into and around the playspace to promote accessibility and inclusion. 

Woy Woy Bay, Gurdon Reserve local playspace. Play equipment will be upgraded to include a new shop front, two slides, junior swing, nest swing, rocker and sensory play. New park furniture, landscaping and rubber softfall into and around the facility will also be constructed to promote accessibility and inclusion.

Koolewong Reserve local playspace. Works to include the removal of existing play equipment and construction of a renewed playspace with new play equipment that will include a shop front, sensory play, two slides, monkey bar, rope climber, nest swing and sensory play.  A new concrete pathway will also be constructed to connect the playspace, park furniture, stone seating, plus rubber softfall into and around the playspace to promote accessibility and inclusion. New fencing and gates will protect users from the adjacent car parks. Established trees will be retained to provide natural shade.

Wyongah, Oakland Street Reserve local playspace. Works to include the removal of the existing play equipment and replacement with shop front, rock wall, double slide, double swing including a standard and nest swing, rocker and a spinner. A new concrete pathway will also be constructed to connect the playspace, park furniture and stone seating, plus landscaping and rubber softfall into and around the playspace to promote accessibility and inclusion. 

Toukley, Osborne Park local playspace. Works to include the removal of the existing play equipment and replacement with new play equipment that will include a shop front, xylophone panel, clock panel, sensory play, stepping balls, rocker, double and single slides, and three swings, including a nest swing, junior swing and standard swing. Improved pathway to connect the playspace, stone seating, plus bike racks, landscaping and rubber softfall into and around the playspace to promote accessibility and inclusion. All existing established trees will be retained to provide natural shade.

Killarney Vale, Pioneer Park local playspace. Renewal plans for the playspace involve demolishing and resurfacing existing area to relocate the playspace within the park to achieve a safer line of sight for parents. The new playspace will be converted to a nature playspace designed to provide opportunity for active play and sensory experiences that will feature natural timber play elements including a shop front, zig zag balance beam, rope climb, stepper trail, tunnel, playground logs, sculptures and stepping-stones with formal and informal settings connecting the playspace.

Tuggerah, Tonkiss Street Reserve local playspace. This requires the existing equipment at this site to be demolished and construction of a renewed playspace with new play equipment that will include a shop front, double slide, rope ladder, rock climbing wall, junior bouldering unit, standard swing and a nest swing. A new concrete pathway will also be constructed to connect the playspace, stone seating, plus landscaping, and a mix of mulch and rubber softfall into and around the playspace to promote accessibility and inclusion. All existing established trees will be retained to provide natural shade.

Terrigal, Wycombe Rd local playspace. This requires the existing equipment at this site to be demolished and construction of a renewed playspace with new play equipment that will include a shop front, double slide, rock climbing wall, standard swing, junior swing, nest swing, rocker, spinner and spring toy.

Blue Haven, Mackellar Boulevard local playspace. Due to safety concerns and drainage issues, the existing site at 123W Birdwood Drive, Blue Haven has been relocated within 500 metres to 2W McKellar Boulevard. This new location will have new play equipment to include a rope course, stepping balls, rocker, double swing, nest swing and talking tubes. A new concrete pathway will also be constructed to connect the playspace and stone seating, plus rubber softfall into and around the playspace to promote accessibility and inclusion. Established trees will be retained to provide natural shade. A new concrete pathway will also be constructed to connect the playspace, new park furniture and stone seating, plus landscaping, and a mix of mulch and rubber softfall into and around the playspace to promote accessibility and inclusion. All existing established trees will be retained to provide natural shade.