Shannon Reserve Playground to be upgraded upgrade
Shannon Reserve Playground in Surry Hills has been identified for renewal and could soon have a new playground, nature reserve area and climbing space.
Shannon Reserve Playground in Surry Hills has been identified for renewal and could soon have a new playground, nature reserve area and climbing space.
“Shannon Reserve Playground was identified for an upgrade because its play equipment has reached end of asset life and does not meet current standards,” the council documents said.
A concept plan was presented to the community in September 2018 and feedback was mostly in support of the proposal.
The proposed upgrade would include a play structure with a climbing net and wobbly bridge, cubby house, climbing poles, speaking tubes and high and low raised climbing platform with ropes, ladders, steps and slides.
It will also feature an adjacent nature play area with timber logs and boulders for balancing and climbing and three new swings, including basket and toddler swings.
Redundant paths would be removed to maximise grass area and low fencing will be installed to the play areas.
Under the proposed plans, there will be a new path which will allow greater accessibility and provide more seating opportunities.
“The improved playground and park facilities are likely to attract local residents, which may assist the viability of local businesses, such as cafes and stores, by encouraging greater locally based activity,” the report said.
City of Sydney Deputy Mayor, Linda Scott said the Surry Hills Neighbourhood Centre have advocated for a beautiful play space in the area for years and “as a former Chair of the Surry Hills Neighbourhood Centre, I know how important Shannon Reserve is for local Surry Hills families.”
“Open space and places to play bring joy to the heart of our city,” Cr Scott said.
“I’m so pleased to see the city planning to upgrade this really important public space.
“As a former Chair of the Surry Hills Neighbourhood Centre, I welcome these ideas coming to fruition.”
Father-of-two Evan Hughes grew up not far from the park and said it hasn’t changed much at all since the early 90s.
He now takes his two boys, Harry 5 and Teddy, 3 to the same park.
“To be fair, it has been a fantastic park for all these years,” Mr Hughes said.
“But, all the play equipment is in desperate need of an upgrade.
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“One of the sad things is, I’ve watched other areas like Paddington and other parts of Sydney get their upgrades very quickly, but things move at a slow pace in Surry Hills so it’s absolutely fantastic that Surry Hills is finally getting amenities that the kids in the area deserve.
“The wonderful thing (about the plans) is it keeps alive so many aspects of the park that I remember when I was a little boy.
“It’s very sweet to think that my kids are going to be playing on the same sort of thing that I used to and in a safe environment.”
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