Revitalised Ray Pascoe Park Opens in Tweed Heads

ROBERT HEYWARD

The newly upgraded and inclusive playground at Ray Pascoe Park in Tweed Heads offcially opened, providing a vital riverside play area for young families. The completion of the park’s enhancements in late June 2024 co-incided perfectly with the winter school holidays, much to the joy of local children and families.

Nestled by the Kennedy Drive boat ramp along the Tweed River, Ray Pascoe Park is the latest recreational space in Tweed Heads to undergo rejuvenation. Mayor Chris Cherry of Tweed Shire was present to offcially inaugurate the revitalised park.

The $800,000 upgrade features several new additions:

• Additional play equipment for children aged fve and up

• Inclusive and nature play elements

• New barbecue and shelter within the playground area

• New picnic tables and seating with shelters

• New public toilet and connecting pathways

• Integration of river-themed elements

• Enhanced landscaping

The project was funded by a $400,000 grant from the NSW Government’s Regional Housing Fund, aimed at delivering critical infrastructure and high-quality open spaces for new housing, with an additional $400,000 contributed by the Council.

NSW Minister for Planning and Public Spaces, Paul Scully, emphasized the signifcance of the investment. “The upgrade provides Tweed Shire with a high-quality public open space that the whole community can enjoy for generations to come,” Mr. Scully stated. “Our Government understands that enhancing recreational facilities is crucial for a growing region like Tweed Heads. The revitalization and modernization of the park will signif-cantly boost the liveability of Tweed Heads now and in the future.”

Mayor Chris Cherry expressed her enthusiasm for the upgraded park, which is part of a broader initiative to enhance recreational spaces in Tweed Heads. “Ray Pascoe Park is a beautiful spot for picnics and family time by the Tweed River, and we are thrilled to offer these improved facilities to both the local community and visi-tors,” Cr Cherry said. “Community feedback highlighted the need for enhanced park and 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 an investigation into increasing the number of parking spaces while ensuring safe manoeuvrability for boaters and other park users. These enhancements are funded by the Australian and NSW Government’s Community Asset Program (CAP), aimed at repairing, restoring, and improving community facilities in foodaffected areas.

Additional Boating Facilities

The overall park enhancement also includes a new fsh-cleaning station, upgraded lighting at the boat ramp, and minor shoreline protection efforts under the Council’s Coast and Waterways Program, expected to be completed by August. This additional work is funded by NSW Fisheries ($69,610) with a $20,000 contribution from Tweed Shire Council.

The upgrade of Ray Pascoe Park aligns with the Council’s Open Space Strategy (2019–2029) to improve the quality of public open spaces in Tweed. This project is one of several delivered over the past year, including upgrades at the Recreation Ground in Tweed Heads, Livvi’s Place at Goorimahbah –Place of Stories at Jack Evans Boat Harbour, and Fingal Foreshore Park. For more information about the project, visit yoursaytweed.com.au/ raypascoepark. To learn more about the NSW Regional Housing Fund, visit planning.nsw.gov. au.

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