Council’s Aged and Disability Officer, Julie Priest, will hold community consultation of the proposal, Friday afternoon, February 10, in Bain Park.

“Come along to the undercover barbecue area, anytime between 4pm and 6pm this Friday, and tell us your views,” Ms Priest said. “The concept plans currently on display are not the only choice and are definitely open to refinement – think of them as good conversation starters.

“Council welcomes all responses from the community – especially with regards to the location of the playground, the location of the bicycle circuit and the type of play equipment.

“The feedback from St Joseph’s Primary School has been very positive of the new playground and I have spoken to Sister Sally Camilleri regarding this.

“Council is cognisant that Bain Park is the heart of Wauchope’s public domain and a variety of users access the park land.

“The aim of this community engagement is to seek the feedback of these user groups and council will ensure that the final design aligns with the adopted Wauchope

Masterplan,” she said.

The council has two options for people to consider for the new playground, which is to be constructed by end of June 2012.

The project is funded from a federal government grant of $100,000, plus $115,000 from Hastings Council, and the goal to improve the accessibility of community life for all,

including people with a disability.

Ms Priest said the playground will include a series of ramps, rails and structures that allow for children and parents in wheelchairs or with limited mobility, to move throughout the area.There will be play items and features with visual, tactile and audio stimulation to enhance the experience for people in wheelchairs or with a visual impairment.

Part of the project is to improve access to Wauchope Community Arts Centre, and link it to the new playground.

“This will help make the park area into a positive community focal point for Wauchope,” Ms Priest said.

Events and Publicity Officer for Wauchope Arts Council, Krissa Wilkinson, said there had been strong community involvement in the management of Bain Park over many years.

“Wauchope is a strong community, and people care very much about the town and its public spaces,” Ms Wilkinson said. “The Arts Council has a very long and active connection to Bain Park.

“It is great that the playground will be improved, but many of us will not support it if it comes at the expense of losing other park assets, such as the natural amphitheatre,” she said.