The upgrade, part-funded by a $1.54 million grant from the Plimmer Bequest, will feature the construction of:
- Two new play areas, one for toddlers and younger children and another for older kids
- An all-weather artificial surface for informal sports – including a marked-out ki-o-rahi pitch
- A basketball half-court
- A boardwalk with a small wetland area
- A revamped skate area
- pump track
- picnic and BBQ area
- an expanded car park and improved vehicle entranceway.
The Newlands War Memorial currently located about 1 kilometre away at the intersection of Newlands Road and Wakely Road, will be shifted to a paved area in the vicinity of the site of the old Newlands fire station.
Mayor Andy Foster says the upgrade has been long-awaited by the Newlands community.
“This is a great moment for Newlands – this is one of the biggest park and playground projects by the Council in recent years. It recognises that the population of the Newlands area is growing – and that it’s a young population.
“Newlands Park was identified as a redevelopment opportunity as part of the Northern Reserves Management Plan. We asked what the community wanted to see in the park and now we have this exciting opportunity to create a fantastic recreational space."
Councillor Jill Day, the Council’s Play spaces and programmes leader, says the work will “open up” Newlands Park and provide space for what’ll be a great new playground.
“The local community’s been waiting a long time for this project to start – and I know there’ll be much excitement when the work is completed.
“The inclusion of the War Memorial in the park is also an inspired touch – the existing site at the Wakely Road intersection is cramped and, frankly, dangerous due to it being so close to a busy road. The new location will allow large crowds to gather safely for Anzac Day services.”
Most of the park will be closed to the public while work is being carried out, but there will be pedestrian access for sports practice and play during the weekends. The use of the softball field is still available to club teams only.
The top field is set to re-open in late March 2021, just in time for winter sport and the lower field will be open in May 2021.