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Early Christmas present for Franklin Park childrenWhile the children of Franklin Park Estate may be getting lots of new toys for Christmas, one of the best presents has already been delivered by the community; their new playground equipment. By Latrobe Shire Council - 16th December 2004 - Back to News Latrobe City Councillor Sheridan Bond, said that the new playground facility was now progressing well with the play equipment already installed and further construction and landscape projects nearing completion.
"The slides, swings, towers, climbing frames, monkey bars and rockers have now been erected on a safety bed of mulch covering a considerable area," Cr Bond explained.
Cr Bond said that the Franklin Street Community Park Action Group and Council staff had been working closely together on the development of the playground since a public meeting was held in April this year.
"Council has worked in partnership with the Action Group to co-ordinate the project. With the help of Council’s recreation services staff, the new equipment has now been installed and it is great that the children of the estate have a playground to use, particularly with the long summer holidays coming up," Cr Bond said.
Spokesperson for the Action Group, Aaron Bryce, said there are a number of other projects to be completed. "The contractor has completed the concrete footings for the sections of the front wall and the digging out of the gravel footpath has started. It is hoped that the walls and pathways will be completed by Christmas, weather permitting. Lights will also be installed on the front pathway by February next year," Mr Bryce said.
"The design and development of the park had been intricate in terms of addressing both safety and floodplain issues. It’s been a challenging but ultimately fulfilling process. Residents and local businesses have put in long hours, willingly donating their time and skills to ensure that the children have a safe and fun play area. The community effort has been invaluable and the end result is a Community Park which we are proud to call our own," Mr Bryce said.
"Safety issues regarding the proximity of the road to the playground area were addressed early in the development of the Community Park and will be continually assessed."
Cr Proctor said that funding for the project had been gathered from a number of sources.
"While the Franklin Park developer left some funds in trust for the development of a play area, the Action Group has also accessed Council’s community grants program, and raised funds themselves through donations and fundraising activities in the local area. Council also purchased vacant land adjacent to the playground to allow the project to proceed to stage two," Cr Proctor explained.
"The Action Group and Council staff should be congratulated on the way they have worked together to create this playground for the children of Franklin Park. Families now have a wonderful play area close at hand.
"Projects like this help to create a magnificent community spirit and show what can be achieved when residents and Council work in partnership together," Cr Proctor concluded.
Source: www.gippsland.com Published by: news@gippsland.com
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