Work has begun at Giblins Reserve to create an engaging recreation and play space for the Glenorchy community. Glenorchy City Council Mayor Bec Thomas said the revamped reserve would include the latest in play equipment for younger children, while also incorporating features that would appeal to teenagers and adults.
“Having safe and accessible spaces for people in our community to gather at and have fun is a fundamental part of our civic planning. We want people to be able to enjoy our community and have access to local spaces that provide engaging entertainment and activity for local families.
“Once completed, Giblins Reserve will be one such space, and I’m confident will be extremely popular with the young and not-so-young alike,” she said.
Assistant Minister for Infrastructure and Transport Senator Carol Brown said the Australian Government was proud to be contributing towards this vital community infrastructure project.
“Ensuring our play spaces are accessible to kids of all ages is a core element of building healthy, inclusive communities,” Senator Brown said.
“Adding Giblins Reserve to the growing list of accessible play spaces in Glenorchy is wonderful. Ensuring accessibility from a young age helps us embed equal access throughout life.
“I look forward to seeing the Reserve come to life and enjoyed by families for years to come,” Senator Brown said.
Mayor Thomas said she acknowledged delays to the project had frustrated some people in the community, but work was now underway.
“Like any major project, it takes time to plan and ensure the decisions made for the project are the right ones. We want the very best public spaces to enshrine Glenorchy as a place that families want to not only visit but live, work and grow.”
Once completed, Giblins Reserve will feature two distinct areas; one designed specifically for children, with the other for older children and adults. Along with play equipment specially designed for toddlers, the main playground area will also feature wheelchair-accessible swings and spinners, a net twister, a birds nest tower, a climbing wall, along with springers, swings, and slides.
It will also include a sensory trail and an accessible loop track, and a new accessible toilet block
The teenage and adult area will include an outdoor table tennis table, meeting shelters and a multi-use games arena which will provide a large, enclosed court space allowing for several sports such as soccer and basketball to be played on the one court.
Mayor Thomas said having spaces for older users was an important part of the design consideration.
“This means we are building a space that all age groups can enjoy. Being active and engaged are fundamental aspects of living healthy lives, and we want our entire community to have access to these facilities,” she said.
The Giblins Reserve refurbishment will cost $3.4 million, including $2 million in Federal Government funding, and the new playground is scheduled to be completed within the next 12 months.