{"id":10287,"date":"2021-02-16T00:20:53","date_gmt":"2021-02-16T00:20:53","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/www.16news.com.au\/?p=10287"},"modified":"2021-02-16T00:20:53","modified_gmt":"2021-02-16T00:20:53","slug":"concept-for-new-foreshore-park-open-for-feedback","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"http:\/\/www.16news.com.au\/index.php\/2021\/02\/16\/concept-for-new-foreshore-park-open-for-feedback\/","title":{"rendered":"Concept for new Foreshore Park open for feedback"},"content":{"rendered":"

City of Newcastle is seeking community feedback on a new concept for Foreshore Park which sees the site\u2019s community playspace increase by almost eight times.
\nThe new concept shows a fenced regional-level accessible and inclusive playground the size of eight basketball courts and a significant waterplay space that links back to Newcastle\u2019s Indigenous heritage including representation of the original shoreline of the harbour foreshore.
\nThe concept has been developed based on consultation with the community over the past year and delivers a versatile space including community gardens, open areas for children to skate, scoot and splash, and designed to allow a variety of major events in the city centre.
\nA headline feature of the preliminary concept for Foreshore Park is the inclusive \u2018Variety Livvi\u2019s Place\u2019 playspace which is being delivered in partnership with Variety the Children\u2019s Charity.
\nThe design will include a cultural heritage walk that provides the opportunities to tell both Awabakal stories like Mulubinba, the place of many sea ferns, Awabakal canoe hunting on the harbour, as well as recognising post 1880 stories and the redevelopment of Newcastle as we know it.
\nThese stories are intended to replace the 1988 pond which represented the original fresh water source and one of three man-made wells known as \u201cThe Frog Pond\u201d.
\nNewcastle Lord Mayor Nuatali Nelmes said that the local community\u2019s valuable feedback has been reflected in the draft plans.
\n\u201cIt\u2019s wonderful to have an incredible regional scale inclusive playground based on input from our community as the cornerstone of the preliminary concept for our city\u2019s iconic Foreshore Park.
\n\u201cNow more than ever, we value our open spaces and parks, and this project is a great collaboration between City of Newcastle, Variety the Children\u2019s Charity and our community which will transform the Harbour Foreshore into a more inviting recreational space and major event venue for everyone to enjoy.
\n\u201cWe have consulted with our Indigenous stakeholders on the key heritage elements of the concept including the removal of the Frog Pond and provision of an exciting water play area linked to our heritage.\u201d
\nThe addition of the new cultural elements at Foreshore Park was strongly supported by Luke Russell from Guraki Aboriginal Advisory Committee.
\n\u201cI\u2019m really pleased there is a significant increase in the representation of Guuri culture in the Foreshore Park concept with the plan reflecting equal parts Aboriginal and non-Aboriginal heritage. City of Newcastle\u2019s engagement on this project has resulted in a positive outcome for the community,\u201d Mr Russell said.
\nNewcastle Deputy Lord Mayor Cr Declan Clausen, who sits on the Foreshore Park Community Reference Group said the level of community feedback already received has been fantastic, and has encouraged all Novocastrians to now have their say about City of Newcastle\u2019s plans.
\n\u201cI encourage community members to view the designs which pay tribute to Newcastle\u2019s history, culture and environment, as well as the origins of trade and exchange in the city, and provide feedback via our online mapping tool, or in person at a drop-in session.
\n\u201cOur Community Reference Group has been a great way to understand the different uses of Foreshore Park, and to also gain the valuable views of key stakeholders and user groups of such an important public space. Now we want to hear from the broader Newcastle community about the things they would love to see and do in Foreshore Park.\u201d
\nThe \u2018Variety Livvi\u2019s Place\u2019 playspace which will be great for kids of all ages and all abilities is being delivered in partnership with Variety and has been bolstered by $500,000 from the Newcastle Port Community Contribution Fund and announced on 5 February by Deputy Premier Hon John Barilaro.
\nVariety \u2013 the Children\u2019s Charity NSW\/ACT Inclusive Play Manager, Kim Becherand, said \u201cVariety believes all kids deserve a fair go, including the opportunity to play.\u201d
\n\u201cVariety is pleased to partner with City of Newcastle in the creation of a truly inclusive playspace where all kids will play together, feel welcome, safe and that they belong.\u201d
\nThe concept also considers the interrelationship between the different spaces within the park and their connections to the harbour.
\nCommunity engagement is open until Friday 26 February 2021. The community can view the concept and have their say at newcastle.nsw.gov.au\/yoursay
\nFeedback will assist in the finalisation of the draft masterplan, which will be placed on public exhibition later in 2021.
\nSummary of community engagement to date:<\/strong><\/p>\n