Newcastle to get 12 new playgrounds under $5.6m pledge by Labor councillors

An iconic city playground could get an “extraordinary’’ $3.5m upgrade, a bit like the popular Speers Point Park in Lake Macquarie. Find out which Newcastle playgrounds are set for a face lift.

Retired Hunter primary school principal Wanda McInnes-Fogg knows just how important playgrounds are for children’s development.

Particularly helpful in Covid, when she was on grandparent duty, helping to home school two of her four grandkids.

“When we have the kids and during home schooling we’re able to do our lessons, do some learning and then deal with that spent up energy by going to one of the local parks nearby,’’ she said.

“With my history in education I know how much it helps fine motor skills and how important they are.

“Because of the different equipment in those parks, they get such a range of gross motor development. Even something as simple as walking along a plank, climbing, learning how to use a swing.’’

Also for social development and teaching kids how to play and interact with others.

“They’re learning how to take turns, they have to wait their turn, there’s so much development that takes part in a park.’’

Newcastle parents, as well as grandparents, have long been crying out for better infrastructure and upgraded playgrounds across the region and they’re being heard, with more suburban parks getting face lifts for local families to enjoy.

Since 2017, 15 suburban playgrounds have been renewed across the city including the $2 million Stockton Active Hub and the $1.5 million Blackbutt Reserve Adventure playground.

Now parents are being promised a whole lot more parks will get much-needed makeovers.

Just a month away from local government elections, Labor councillors have outlined a $5.6 million promise to deliver 12 brand new playgrounds over the next term.

Adding to that, the launch of a new Playground Shade Program worth $200,000.

“The Covid trend has definitely seen a lot of young parents moving back to Newcastle, we know we have a great lifestyle for families and providing great parks and great playgrounds is really a critical part of that,’’ Newcastle Deputy Mayor Declan Clausen said.

“We’ve been inundated with people suggesting their local parks and we’ve been keeping a tally of those recommendations.’’

Of the major upgrades, Foreshore Park in Newcastle is set to receive a $3.25 million revamp.

“It’s going to be an extraordinary regional scale facility, a bit like the Speers Point Park in Lake Macquarie, fortunate to get some grants from the State Government and Variety to assist with that,” Mr Clausen said.

Right in the heart of the city, a well aged Gregson Park at Hamilton could also see a $1 million spruce-up, while there’ll be $1.5 million of activity at the Wallsend Active Hub.

In the western suburbs, McCauley Park at Tarro will be one of the first to be upgraded.

“An area which probably hasn’t seen the investment it should have historically,’’ Mr Clausen added.

“When we’re delivering so many new playgrounds, there’s an opportunity to have different activities within the same playground but also tailor some of these playgrounds to different demographics.’’

Upgraded - Novocastrian Park, New Lambton - Labor's Deputy Lord Mayor Declan Clausen, with Councillor Peta Winney Baartz. Supplied.

As a mum of four, Newcastle councillor Peta Winney-Baartz knows just how important it is to have safe a

nd accessible parks and playgrounds across the city.

“I’m so passionate about ensuring that even more playgrounds are replaced right across our suburban parks, with a particular focus on our western suburbs where these upgrades are needed the most,’’ she said.

“Shade is a critical part of what makes Parks great and I’m proud to launch the new Playground Shade Program which will ensure our children can play in a sunsmart way.’’

Cr Carol Duncan added that the commitment ensures families can have access to modern playgrounds and upgraded public park amenities.

“By replacing tired and outdated play spaces with brand new playgrounds and amenities, we‘ve seen the complete rejuvenation and reactivation of many of our fantastic local parks and green open spaces,’’ she said.

Other playgrounds Labor have promised to renew include:

• Minmi Park, Minmi

• Bernborough Avenue Park, Maryland

• Harold Myers Park, Birmingham Gardens

• Adamstown No.2 Oval, Adamstown

• Vera Wilson Park, Beresfield

• Avon Street Reserve, Mayfield

• Kotara Park, Kotara

  Waratah Park, Waratah