Central Coast Council has upgraded six local playspaces at  Avoca Beach (Ross Park), Mardi (Woolmers Crescent), East Gosford (Hylton Moore Oval), North Avoca (Palm Gully Park), Pretty Beach (Turo Reserve) and Saratoga (Jirramba Reserve) for local families and visitors to enjoy now and in years to come.

Central Coast Council administrator, Rik Hart said playspaces are the heart of any neighbourhood and important community hubs.

“Council manages and maintains over 260 playspaces across the region and continues to deliver innovative and high quality spaces where kids can play and learn and the community can connect, socialise, and lead active lifestyles.

“We are appreciative of funding from the Australian Government, which has enabled Council to renew these playspaces with safe and engaging equipment for the benefit of local communities, and also for the contribution of additional funding from some local community groups so that accessible pathways could link around three of the playspaces to improve inclusion.”

These six renewed playspaces include:

• Avoca Beach, Ross Park district playspace (Vine St). 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 previous playspace needed to be replaced as it had reached the end of its functional life and was due for a face lift. Some of the existing equipment (spider net climbing frame, and park furniture) has been renovated and retained as part of the upgrade. The connecting and circulation pathways into and around the facility have been retained and complimented by new rubber softfall and synthetic grass under surfacing to provide greater accessibility.  Established trees have been retained and new shade structures installed to provide additional sun protection over the playspace. The fencing and gates were replaced to protect users from the adjacent car parks, and supporting playspace infrastructure such as waste and recycling bin enclosures replaced and a water drinking station installed to keep everyone hydrated.  To ensure this renewed playspace reflects what current and future users wanted to see, Council undertook community consultation to find out what’s important to locals. Results of the survey are available here. 
• Mardi, Woolmers Crescent local playspace (Woolmers Cres). The aging play equipment was replaced with anew native animal inspired playspace, and a mix of mulch and rubber softfall that improves access and inclusion.  Supporting infrastructure such as seating, and new pathways to the existing picnic tables and shelter were constructed and established tress retained to provide natural shade over the playspace.
• East Gosford, Hylton Moore Oval local playspace (Althrop St). An improved split level active/sport inspired themed playspace was installed with new park furniture, landscaping and rubber softfall into and around the facility to promote accessibility and inclusion. Established tress were retained and with new plantings will provide natural shade over the playspace.
• North Avoca, Palm Gully Park local playspace (Surf Rider Ave). A consolidated play area has been created by constructing a new, beach/tropical inspired theme playspace. In addition, concrete pathways were constructed to connect the playspace with the existing shelter and newly installed park furniture plus rubber softfall into and around the facility to promote accessibility and inclusion.  Established trees were retained and with new plantings will provide natural shade over the playspace. 
• Pretty Beach, Turo Reserve local playspace (Pretty Beach Rd). The existing play equipment was replaced with a new nautical inspired themed playspace. New concrete pathways were constructed to connect the playspace with existing park furniture, plus rubber softfall into and around the facility to promote accessibility and inclusion. The existing fitness equipment and supporting infrastructure such as seating, picnic tables and shelters were retained.  New trees were planted to supplement existing established trees to provide long term natural shade over the playspace. 
• Saratoga, Jirramba Reserve local playspace (Jirramba Ave). Works included the removal of the existing play equipment and replacement with an improved natural/coastal inspired themed playspace with new turf and rubber softfall, plus an accessible concrete loop track pathway connecting to the existing park furniture, toilet amenities and playspace.  New trees have been planted to provide natural shade over the playspace

The six playspace projects were jointly funded by the Australian Government, Central Coast Council and various community local community groups. Australian Government funding of $803,584 was provided through the Local Roads and Community Infrastructure (LRCI) Program.

The East Gosford Football Club provided $5,000 funding for the construction of the accessible concrete pathway from the Hylton Moore Oval playspace entry to the carpark, Wagstaffe to Killcare Community Association (WTKCA) provided $9,817.50 funding to build a circulation concrete path loop track around the new playspace at Turo Reserve, Pretty Beach, and $9,000 funding was provided by 3 Villages Community Group Inc to fund circulation concrete path loop track around the new playspace at Jirramba Reserve, Saratoga.

The LRCI program supports local councils to deliver priority local road and community infrastructure projects across Australia. 

Federal Member for Robertson, Dr Gordon Reid MP said the Australian Government and Central Coast Council have jointly funded upgrades to a range of playspaces across the Coast.

“These playspaces will be enjoyed by the community for years to come and will encourage active lifestyles,” Dr Reid said.

“I thank Central Coast Council on its work getting these upgrades completed and ready for the upcoming summer holidays.”

Assistant Minister and Federal Member for Dobell, the Hon Emma McBride MP said these upgrades will benefit individuals and families across the Central Coast.

“The Albanese Government is proud to work with Council to deliver these vital upgrades for our community,” the Assistant Minister said.
“We want local playspaces like Woolmers Crescent, Mardi to be fun, safe and inclusive so families and visitors can enjoy them for many years to come.”

Additional playspace improvements

In addition to these funded playspace upgrades, here are some of the work Council has undertaken over the last year to improve other playspaces across the region:

• Bateau Bay, The Cottage playspace and Buff Point, Edgewater Park - Rubber softfall replacement has been completed to maintain quality safety and accessibility
• Woy Woy, Runway Park - Additional rubber softfall installed to further improve accessibility and safety
• Wallarah Point, Peace Park playspace - Additional rubber softfall installed to further improve accessibility at the entrance to the playspace
• Gosford Leagues Club playspace - Additional rubber softfall and concrete pathways installed to further improve quality, safety and accessibility
• Bill Sohier playspace, Ourimbah (Shirley St) – Two shade sails were installed to provide sun protection and allow for longer stay and play in the district playspace.
• Tunkuwallin playspace, Gwandalan - Installation of 2 shade sails to provide sun protection and allow for longer stay and play in the district playspace.

Read Council’s Playspace Strategy to learn about the strategic direction for the development and sustainable management of playspaces across the coast.

Read FAQs on playspaces.