|
Today marked the official opening of the newly upgraded and inclusive playground at Ray Pascoe Park at Tweed Heads, offering an essential riverside play space for young families.
Works on the upgraded park were completed in late June 2024 – just in time for the winter school holidays and much to the delight of children and families in the region.
Located at the Kennedy Drive boat ramp alongside the Tweed River, Ray Pascoe Park is the latest recreational park to be rejuvenated in Tweed Heads.
Mayor of Tweed Shire Chris Cherry visited the park today to officially open the revitalised public space.
The $800,000 upgrade includes:
- additional play equipment for children aged 5 years and up
- inclusive play elements
- nature play elements
- new barbecue and shelter within the playground area
- new picnic tables and seating with shelters
- new public toilet and linking pathways
- integration of river-themed elements
- landscaping.
The upgrade was made possible thanks to a $400,000 grant from the NSW Government through its Regional Housing Fund, which supports the delivery of critical infrastructure and high-quality open space projects for new housing, while Council contributed $400,000 towards the project.
NSW Minister for Planning and Public Spaces Paul Scully said the NSW Government has invested $1.4 million toward the park upgrade.
“The upgrade provides the Tweed Shire with a high-quality public open space that the whole community can enjoy for generations to come,” Mr Scully said.
"Our Government understands that enhancing recreational facilities is crucial for a growing region like Tweed Heads.
“The revitalisation and modernisation of the park will be a big boost to the liveability of Tweed Heads now and into the future.”
Mayor of Tweed Shire Chris Cherry was excited to see the revitalised park – part of a suite of upgraded parks across Tweed Heads over recent months.
“Ray Pascoe Park is such a beautiful spot to enjoy a picnic and time with family and friends beside the Tweed River and we are thrilled to deliver these enhanced facilities for both the local community and many visitors who enjoy it here,” Cr Cherry said.
“Community feedback highlighted the desire for enhanced park and public restroom facilities and we are delighted to deliver these improvements.”
Potential car park improvements
The car park is undergoing a complete asphalt reseal, minor drainage improvements, and investigation into the potential for increasing the number of parking spaces while ensuring safe maneuverability for boaters and other park users.
This additional improvement will be made possible thanks to funding from the Australian and NSW Government’s awarded to Council under the Community Asset Program (CAP) to help repair, restore and improve community facilities in flood-affected areas.
Something for boaties too
An overall park enhancement also includes the addition of a new fish-cleaning station, upgraded lighting at the boat ramp, and minor shoreline protection efforts carried out under the Council’s Coast and Waterways Program, expected to be completed in August.
This additional improvement is jointly funded by NSW Fisheries ($69,610), with Tweed Shire Council contributing $20,000.
The upgrade of Ray Pascoe Park forms part of Council’s commitment to improve the quality of the Tweed's public open spaces as outlined in Council’s Open Space Strategy (2019–2029). This is just one of the many open space projects delivered under this Strategy over the past 12 months including Recreation Ground in Tweed Heads, Livvi’s Place at Goorimahbah – Place of Stories at Jack Evans Boat Harbour, Fingal Foreshore Park and now Ray Pascoe Park.
Find out more about the project at yoursaytweed.com.au/raypascoepark
For more information on the NSW Regional Housing Fund visit www.planning.nsw.gov.au/plans-for-your-area/infrastructure-funding/nsw-regional-housing-fund
|