Forest Hill Dog Park upgraded
A popular spot for Forest Hill residents and their animal companions has undergone a recent transformation with upgrade works reaching completion last week.
Situated in a central spot of the Forest Hill area, the dog park is visited regularly by locals and their pets.
The park now has a new sheltered seating area, connected concrete paths, water bubbler and additional seating.
The works were completed internally by Council crews after receiving a written request from a local dog park user who expressed a desire to see some new facilities.
Parks and Recreation Assets Officer Rob Owers said Council was eager to head the request, with a motivation to complete the upgrade prior to the Easter long weekend.
“The works were completed Wednesday leading up to Easter, so the community had the opportunity to enjoy the newly revamped dog park over the long weekend,” Mr Owers said.
“Council allocated $40,000 to the project from the recreation renewal
budget but ended up spending less than the dedicated amount.
“Council crews completed the works which included: six cubic metres of concrete in the form of connecting paths to the existing footpath at the front, and concrete pads for the bubbler, the picnic setting and shelter, as well as an additional park chair.
“Previous feedback from residents also indicated there was a strong desire for access to water for visitors to the park, with a tap and water dish for dogs. Riverina Water helped set this up with the installation of a 25-millimetre water connection.”
Rob Owers also said residents have been delighted with the outcome.
“It’s a beautiful space that has an abundance of healthy grass, shade from native trees, and now fresh water and seating. The spot is sure to be busier than ever now,” Mr Owers said.
“Forest Hill resident Miranda Smith, who initially put in the letter requesting the upgrade, turned up unknowingly just as the works were finishing up.
“She was thrilled to be the first person to use the park, and it was a special moment for everyone involved, including their canine friend.”
You can support our natural environment by collaborating with other citizens and scientists around Australia by recording data on our local wildlife.
Council’s Environment team is encouraging local community members to engage in Citizen Science, an initiative that helps track information about our local environment.
Council Environmental Officer Samantha Pascall said this activity is perfect for anyone who enjoys spending time outdoors.
“We need help from local community members to get active in Citizen Science,” Ms Pascall said.
“When you engage in Citizen Science, you help your environment by gathering data on local plants and animals.
“All you have to do is download one of the many apps available and when you’re out enjoying our local nature reserves, just start recording what you see.”
A popular free app is iNaturalist, which allows users to simply upload a photo or sound recording that lets researchers know when and where you identified a particular plant or animal.
“If you’re not sure you have identified your sighting correctly, don't worry, as an expert verifies this before it is uploaded,” Ms Pascall said.
“The iNaturalist app also allows you to explore other sightings that have been observed within the area which means you learn more as you go.
“By simply observing, you can help scientists track species distributions and changes to their movements.
“It also helps Council to understand where our locally native species are most active and where our problem areas are.
“This, in-turn helps when applying for grants or for deploying active measures in a timely manner.”
Read more and download the app here: www.inaturalist.org
The Wagga Wagga area has a collection of local reserves abundant with wildlife and plant species. To find out more about these local spaces, visit our website: wagga.nsw. gov.au/parks-and-recreation/parksbeaches-lakes
WYNNER: Winner Wynne Prize 2023, Zaachariaha Fielding Inma © the artist
The Wynne Prize 2023 among Wagga Wagga Art Gallery’s autumn exhibitions
For the first time in its 125-year history, the Wynne Prize is touring to regional Australia and will feature in the Wagga Wagga Art Gallery’s upcoming Autumn Exhibitions. Presented annually by the Art Gallery of NSW, the Wynne Prize features landscape painting of Australian scenery and figure sculpture by Australian artists.
The Wynne Prize 2023 includes works by luminaries of landscape; John Olsen, Joan Ross and Sally Scales.
Dr Lee-Anne Hall, the Director at the Wagga Wagga Art Gallery said “we are excited that Wagga Wagga and region wide audiences will have the opportunity to see the best of Australian contemporary landscape painting and sculpture close to home.
“The Art Gallery’s autumn exhibitions also feature new work by local artists Julia Roche and Sophie Chauncy, as well as artists from further afield; Anna Louise Richardson and Lyndall Phelps.”
When Our Eyes Adjust by local artist Julia Roche presents works on canvas and paper created during both the day and night on Roche’s family farm.
The Good is a solo exhibition by Anna Louise Richardson whose large-scale drawings are centred around rural life, embedded in the experience of everyday reality.
The National Art Glass Gallery has become a laboratory and site-specific installation for Science of Common Life by Lyndall Phelps.
The exhibition merges Phelps’ research into the National Art Glass Collection and glass from the scientific world, with the ways women have incorporated glass into craft activities.
Sophie Chauncy’s exhibition Nurture captures the resilience of the Western Australian landscape as witnessed during a residency in outback WA.
The official opening of the Autumn Exhibitions will be held on Saturday 20 Aprilfrom 4pm. For Further information visit waggaartgallery.com.au/whats-on
The Wynne Prize 2023 is an Art Gallery of New South Wales touring exhibition. Find out more about this year’s Wynne Prize finalists here: artgallery.nsw.gov. au/prizes/wynne/2023
WHAT’S ON THIS WEEK
Wagga Wagga to host Karting NSW State Titles
GO GO GO: The Karting NSW State Titles 1 will be held at the Wagga and District Kart Racing Club from Friday 26 –Sunday 28 April 2024. Nic Pic NSW Wagga Wagga City Council is partnering with Karting NSW to host the highly anticipated KNSW State Titles 1 in Wagga Wagga from 26 – 28 April.
The event will be held at the Wagga and District Kart Racing Club where the track was upgraded in 2023 thanks to funding from the NSW Government.
The grant of $407,000 from the Regional Sport Facility Fund covered the track upgrade and drainage repairs, enhancing the facility and making it viable to host premier competitions.
The upgrades to the Kart Racing Club are one of many projects Wagga Wagga City Council has undertaken to improve sporting infrastructure, in turn attracting state and national events to the city.
Such projects in recent years include improvements to McDonald’s Park and the Multisport Cycling Complex at Pomingalarna.
Upgrades currently underway include the redevelopment of the Jim Elphick Tennis Centre and the Bill Jacob Athletics Centre.
Mayor of the City of Wagga Wagga Councillor Dallas Tout said it is great to be hosting this event in our region.
"We are thrilled to welcome Karting NSW and the KNSW State Titles 1 to Wagga Wagga," Cr Tout said.
"This partnership highlights Wagga Wagga's growing reputation as a premier destination for events and underscores our commitment to supporting grassroots sports and recreation.
“We look forward to showcasing our city's hospitality and attractions to competitors, families, and spectators throughout the event.”
Council Manager City Growth and Regional Assets Ben Creighton said the recent upgrades to the Wagga and District Kart Racing Club’s track have already proven to be beneficial.
“The grant provided by the NSW Government allowed the Kart Racing Club to undertake much needed improvements to the racing track.”
For more information on the Karting NSW State Titles 1 visit kartingnsw. com.au
Art competition
I Wagga Wagga because...
Get creative and tell us what you love about Wagga Wagga!
Draw or paint a picture of what you love about Wagga Wagga. This could be a place or something you love participating in within our local community.
Entries close: 5pm, Friday 26 April 2024
City of Wagga Wagga socials.
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