PLAYGROUNDS at Thirroul and Bellambi are among five across the city that have been given a new lease on life.

The temporary fencing surrounding Chounding Crescent Playground at Bellambi have come down, calling a wrap on a Wollongong City Council 2024-25 program that has also seen play spaces at Thirroul, Mount Ousley, Wollongong and Lake Heights renewed and open for business.

The targeted playgrounds were replaced as part of Council’s playground renewal program that aims to renew older playgrounds with modern play equipment specifically catering to the needs of the surrounding local community.

These playgrounds, unlike larger regional play facilities, are designed for local children to enjoy within their suburb, creating a space for parents and caregivers to enjoy the outdoors.

The program of renewal works looked to create new, exciting play spaces for kids to enjoy, while also incorporating contemporary accessibility standards and supporting infrastructure like new connecting footpaths.

Wollongong Lord Mayor Tania Brown said the benefits of outdoor play to both the physical and mental health of children, parents and carers are well established, particularly at a time where devices are playing a bigger and bigger role in our lives.

“The diverse range of valuable recreational spaces Council constructs and maintains across our LGA may vary in size and scale, but all are of equal importance to the local neighbourhoods they serve,” Cr Brown said.

“It is essential that we provide local inclusive and accessible facilities that build a sense of community and belonging and can be safely enjoyed by people of all ages.

“We’re delighted to see these five playgrounds re-opened to ensure our youngest residents can enjoy time with friends and family, and to help build connected and healthy local communities”.

The playgrounds that have undergone renewal are:

• JJ Kelly Park Playground (Wollongong)
• Fred Woodward Park, Treetop Glen Playground (Thirroul)
• Aristo Park Playground (Mount Ousley)
• Chounding Crescent Reserve Playground (Bellambi)
• Whimbrel Park Playground (Lake Heights)

Treetop Glen and Chounding Crescent included the construction of connecting footpaths for improved access for visitors.

Council’s management and maintenance of its 154 playgrounds is informed by its Play Wollongong Strategy (2014-2024), which looks to ensure Wollongong offers a range of play spaces that meet varying community needs and are spread equitably across the city.

The Strategy will be reviewed in 2025, when Council will be seeking community input into this strategy.

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