Wonga Park playground inspired by Graeme Base’s ‘My Grandma Lived In Gooligulch’ in limbo
For more than 20 years, Wonga Park locals have cherished a special playground inspired by a popular children’s book. But it looks like it won’t be a happy ending as a council proposes to demolish it.
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The author of a children’s book which inspired a much-loved Wonga Park playground has joined the community’s calls to overhaul it instead of tearing it down.
Manningham Council wants to remove the ageing playground — built in 1998 and inspired by Graeme Base’s picture story book ‘My Grandma Lived In Gooligulch”
The council believes the playground has had its day and wants to replace it with new equipment and a new theme.
It has pitched three options for community consultation — none of which include retaining or upgrading the existing playground.
The plans received widespread anger from members of the Wonga Park Noticeboard Facebook page, who claimed there was no prior community consultation.
Mr Base said he had fond memories of the playground and wanted it to live on, but understood if the council thought it was time for a change.
“After 20 years I’m sure it must be in need of work … I’d love to see it live on but everything has its day,” he said.
“If it can be refurbished for a reasonable cost then great, if not, let’s all hope some else fun and imaginative can be created to take its place.”
Furious residents emailed the Leader about the council’s plans, while an online petition to save the playground received nearly 300 signatures in two days.
Ros Forrest said it was “unique” and still blended in with Wonga Park’s semirural environment, while Anne Grigg said the council was “imposing their ideas upon the Wonga Park community” without an option to retain the existing playground.
“I would love to see this unique piece of history remain and I gather a lot of other people feel the same,” Ms Forrest wrote.
Council spokesman Niall Sheehy said it acknowledged the playground was “a very cherished feature in Wonga Park” but had deteriorated and was in need of replacement.
Mr Sheehy said the council would use community feedback for the final design which would be presented later in the year.
“We acknowledge that there is also a strong community connection to the Gooligulch playground, particularly with the historic elements of the existing play spaces.
“We are keen to hear from the community what elements are important to them, to assist us in addressing these themes as part of the design.”
The consultation period closes on Monday, September 14.
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