Have your say in what four new Bass Coast playgrounds look like

Bass Coast Shire residents have been asked to let their imaginations run wild and design four new playgrounds slated for the area.

Playground.

Bass Coast residents from all walks of life are being asked to reimagine play spaces across the area.

Bass Coast Shire Council is preparing to upgrade three playgrounds in Inverloch, Cape Woolamai, and Cowes as well as install a brand-new playground in San Remo.

But before it does, the council wants to hear the community’s ideas to make the areas “truly extraordinary”.

Whether you submit a drawing of your dream playground, vote for your favourite equipment or describe what you want in the council-run survey, council wants to hear from you.

The playspaces earmarked for replacement include Outrigger Reserve on Outrigger Drive in Inverloch, Woolamai Park on Sunnyside Drive in Cape Woolamai, and McKenzie Views Park on Katherine Circuit in Cowes.

Additionally, a new playground will be built at Anderson St Park in San Remo.

These local play spaces are designed to serve the surrounding community, enabling families to enjoy a short walk from home and visit for up to an hour.

Recognising the immense benefits of playgrounds for physical and emotional wellbeing, Bass Coast Mayor Michael Whelan said the parks would foster fun, joy and community connections.

“These play areas are enjoyed by people of all ages in our community, so we are throwing out an invitation to everyone to tell us how they would like their local play spaces to be designed and the features they would like included.

“Nobody knows playgrounds better than the families that use them – not to mention that children have fantastic imaginations and creative minds,” he said.

The council is eager to receive feedback about what constitutes a great playspace, with a specific interest in hearing about concepts and designs that can make each playspace unique to its respective town and community.

By involving the community, the council aims to create play areas that “truly resonate with the desires and aspirations of the people who will use them”.

Families will have a chance to design the new play spaces.

In addition to play equipment, the four new spaces will also feature fitness equipment for adults.

The council said it aimed to make the new spaces accessible for everyone in the community and was hoping to install matting and wheelchair swings.

Once the feedback has been collected, draft designs will be created and then the council will seek further community feedback later in the year before finalising the designs.

It is anticipated the playgrounds will be installed before the end of June 2024 when they will become “vibrant hubs of joy and adventure for the entire community”.

To participate in the consultation process, community members can complete the surveys and submit drawings online until Friday, July 28, 2023.