Playground strategy revisited

As the facilitator of Beachside Family Centre, I am aware that Gosford Council will be re-visiting its Playground Strategy to ensure that children have a safe place to play with well-maintained and age-appropriate equipment.

Councillors Vicki Scott and Chris Holstein are heading a new Playground Committee which will have community representation, giving the Peninsula the opportunity to make its needs heard and contrubute to the new Playground Strategy for Gosford LGA.

In these times when childhood obesity is recognised as reaching almost epidemic proportions, it is vital that parks and playgrounds are available where families can encourage more physical activity for their children and themselves, rather than spending yet another hour in front of a TV or computer screen.

Ideally, a family should have a local park within walking distance which can then be used for a family picnic or to meet up with other families.

The family backyard is shrinking in size with increasing density of housing making it even more important that there is a local community space where children can ride their bikes, play football and just run, jump and climb.

Debbie Notara, Umina Beach