New place for kids to venture in Ballina

By Sarah Waters

Children in the Ballina Shire will have a new and exciting go-to spot for adventure these holidays with the new Pop Denison Park playground opening just in time for Christmas.

The playground includes larger and more challenging equipment for bigger kids including, a double flying fox, three-tower treehouse structure, pendulum basket swing, tunnel climbing feature and carousel.

Ballina Shire Council’s manager open spaces Cheyne Willebrands said there was nothing else like it in the shire.

“It was just over a year ago that we opened the junior playground, and now with this brandnew senior children’s playground we’ve got an incredible regional-level facility perfect for all ages and abilities,” Ms Willebrands said.

“Once again, this second stage features a strong nature-play based theme, with the new playground integrated into the site’s natural landscape.

“There is also plenty of additional space for kids’ birthday parties or picnics at the park, with the upgrade including five new shelters, a double BBQ, additional seating and drinking fountains,” she said.

The NSW Government provided a $1.4 million contribution for the stage two park upgrade through the NSW Regional Housing Fund.

The Regional Housing Program accelerates new housing opportunities while also providing critical infrastructure and high-quality public and open spaces projects.

At the recent opening, Labor upper house MP Emily Suvaal said recreational investment was vital for the Ballina

Shire as it continued to grow with new housing.

Ballina Shire Mayor Sharon Cadwallader said council was absolutely thrilled to open the playground and thanked the NSW Government for its support.

“Ballina Shire is experiencing significant population growth, and this facility will provide so much fun and physical activity for kids as well as a wonderful space for families to gather,” Ms Cadwallader said.

For more information about the playground upgrades visit ballina. nsw.gov.au/PopDenison-Park-MasterPlan