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The much-loved new inclusive playground at Fingal Foreshore Park, which pays homage to the deep cultural heritage of the area, was officially opened today.
Mayor of Tweed Shire Chris Cherry, Minister for Planning and Minister for Homes Anthony Roberts and Tweed MP Geoff Provest were joined by local Elders and students from Fingal Head Public School to do the official honours of opening the new inclusive play space.
Located on the foreshore, near Fingal Rovers Surf Life Saving Club, the park has already proved a popular attraction for families keen to enjoy the spectacular natural scenery of Fingal Head since its completion late last year.
Cr Cherry said the final design of the park was the culmination of considerable input from the community, including extensive cultural and heritage studies of the site and the Fingal Head area.
“The upgrade has revitalised the park by providing a place for community members of all ages to gather, connect and enjoy the location and facilities,” Cr Cherry said.
“The play space is designed to reflect Fingal Head’s rich history and character through art, play and interpretive signage and has a natural look which blends in with the surrounds.
“The site was the subject of an Aboriginal Cultural Heritage Assessment (ACHA), which improved the understanding, identification, and assessment of Aboriginal cultural heritage values within the site and Fingal Head area.
“It is proof that when we work together with the community, we achieve great things, with more than 100 residents and visitors providing their feedback on the concept plan. While the process was lengthy, it was worth the wait.”
Minister for Planning and Minister for Homes Anthony Roberts joined in celebrations to open the upgraded foreshore park, made possible through the NSW Government’s Everyone Can Play grant program.
“Whether upgrading existing play spaces or building new ones from scratch, it’s wonderful to see our $20 million Everyone Can Play program continuing to deliver more accessible and inclusive places to play across NSW,” Mr Roberts said.
“The upgraded Fingal Foreshore Park is a great example of the future of play spaces – catering for children of all abilities and backgrounds, and for their parents and carers.”
Tweed MP Geoff Provest said students from Fingal Head Public School were invited to decorate a series of art poles within the play space, adding a splash of colour and a series of painted fish to feature poles.
“The students did an amazing job of brightening up the play space with their colourful designs,” Mr Provest said.
“It is great to have local school children involved in creating this nature-inspired play space – a space that they, along with their friends and our broader community, will be able to enjoy.”
The play space has been designed to encourage free, nature-based play and is adorned with plenty of natural elements that tie in beautifully with the natural surrounds of Fingal Head.
The playground includes nature play features such as timber hopping logs, balance beams, a timber climbing net and water pump. It incorporates areas for quiet, creative, active and stimulating play allowing children to learn whilst using their imagination.
Other features of the play space include new play equipment for children aged 2 to 12 years including swings and slides, an accessible carousel, a yarning circle, additional trees, and accessible picnic facilities.
The new playground is the fourth inclusive play space in the Tweed, including Livvi’s Place at Goorimahbah – Place of Stories, which officially opened at Jack Evans Boat Harbour today, with planning well underway for another district play space at Recreation Ground in Tweed Heads.
These new inclusive play spaces have been made possible through the NSW Government’s Everyone Can Play grant program. For this project in Fingal Head, Council received a $107,000 grant from the NSW Government with Council contributing an additional $220,000.
Find out more about the Fingal Foreshore Park project and its history at yoursaytweed.com.au/fingal-foreshore-park.
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