Council includes 21 playgrounds in draft strategy

Central Coast Council has identified 21 playgrounds, or "playspaces" as it calls them, on the Peninsula in its draft Playspace Strategy.

The draft Playspace Strategy proposes that all playgrounds would have natural shade, seating, signage and paths.

No playgrounds would have lighting.

Of the 21 playgrounds on the Peninsula, 17 are defined as local, two as "nature-alternative", one as district and one as regional.

Seven local playgrounds are in Woy Woy: Trafalgar Ave Playground, Pelican Park, Gurdon Reserve, Wallaby Playground, Nambucca Dr Playground, Woy Woy Lions Park and Stoney Park.

Five local playgrounds are in Umina: Brisbane Ave Playground, Vernon Park, Lentara Rd Playground, WL Lloyd Park and Cowper Rd Playground.

Two local playgrounds are in each of Patonga and Pearl Beach: Patonga Caravan and Camping Area, Patonga Beach Foreshore, Pearl Beach Tennis Courts and Pearl Beach Pde Playground.

One local playground is at Ettalong Oval.

The "nature-alternative" playgrounds are the Australia Ave Playground and Umina Tennis Courts.

The district playground is Ettalong Beach Waterfront Reserve.

The regional playground is the Umina Recreation Area.

District and regional playgrounds would have shade shelters, picnic shelters and drinking water.

Regional playgrounds would have parking and be co-located with toilet blocks or have their own.

The strategy states that the classification of playgrounds was "a hierarchy of playspaces which serve different residential catchments and have different usage capacity".

"Local playspaces make up 80 per cent of the playspace network and are located within local parks within walking distance.

"They provide play equipment for the local community and visitors tend to stay for one to two hours.

"District playspaces are medium size playspaces which provide for the Social Plan District but may also serve the region with play equipment catering to multiple age groups.

"They are accessible by bicycle, car, and bus and are co-located with other facilities such as parking, toilets, shared paths or sports facilities to maximize use and are inclusive.

"Visitors tend to say longer than two hours.

"Regional playspaces are currently the largest of Council's playspace network which attract and serve people across the whole region and beyond.

"They typically have the greatest capacity and variety of equipment, may include specialist or iconic facilities and aim to improve inclusion, activation, and social engagement across all ages, abilities and cultural groups.

"They can be co-located with other facilities such as community centres and sporting facilities to maximise opportunities.

"Visitors tend to stay half a day as they incorporate a wide array of complimentary picnic facilities, car parking and associated activities such as half-courts, skate areas and bike paths."

The Strategy describes nature-alternative playgrounds as "creative, low maintenance, nature-based or innovative alternatives developed `in local parks where traditional equipment has been permanently removed".

"The site may be re-purposed to include structural components such as 'learn-to-ride paths, robust and interactive elements or outdoor gyms, fitness equipment or a combination of elements."

Public comment about the Strategy will be received until August 15 through an online submission form, be email to ask@centralcoast.nsw.gov.au, or by post to PO Box 21, Gosford NSW 2250.

Website, 15 Jul 2020

Draft Playspace Strategy, Central Coast Council