A concept design of the new splash play elements at Albury’s proposed park which will be located by the Murray River near the existing Oddies Creek play space. Photo: Supplied.
There will be a new jewel in the crown of Albury’s tourism offerings when a $5 million splash park is developed next to Oddies Creek Park by the Murray River.
The park will bring water play to life with six zones, from calm nature-play streams to interactive water showers, geysers and cannons.
Albury City Council endorsed the concept design in August and the draft is now on public exhibition to give the community a chance to have a say before construction begins.
AlburyCity’s team leader visitor economy and experience Suzy Watson said the development would take the Noreuil Park precinct by the river to a new level.
“I think it’s a really valuable offering in addition to what we already have there. In the last couple of years there has been a lot of improvements from beautifying the banks, the revegetation works and the new walkway areas, this is the next piece in the equation,” she said.
“The Oddies Creek playspace is already a level up from your normal playground and is a safe space for kids to play. The splash park is going to create a nice open and shaded water play experience for kids and will be an easy place for day or overnight visitors, or passing traffic, to have a break and splash around in the shade of the trees.”
The design draws inspiration from the Murray River, with riverine themes, sculptural shade and seating areas for parents, carers and other visitors.
The park will celebrate the community’s connection to water, nature and the Murray and will also include a fully fenced, consolidated play area linking the existing playground with the new splash park and accessible features for people of all abilities.
“It’s a very sympathetic design in relation to the surrounding area and it leans into our natural assets,” Suzy said.
“We are blessed with our position close to the Murray and this will be a great bookend to the walkway area and precinct downstream.”
Local First Nations culture and stories have also been incorporated into the park’s design. Photo: Supplied.
The project has secured $2.5 million in Australian Government funding under the Albury Wodonga Regional Projects program, with the project’s balance of up to $2.5 million to be covered by AlburyCity.
Local Dyiraamalang Girbang First Nations culture and stories have been incorporated into the design, making the park a celebration of place as well as play.
“Historically this has been a natural meeting place in every way,” Suzy said.
“For thousands of years people have gathered and shared and celebrated here, in the foothills of the alps and on the banks of the river, our nature has been a real attractor for community and visitors.”
Albury Mayor Kevin Mack said local residents had been asking for a splash park for years.
The concept attracted strong community input, with more than 1200 submissions received and 94.6 per cent of participants in the earlier Have Your Say survey supporting the project.
“We’re pleased to be another step closer to making it happen,” he said
“This will be a place for kids to laugh, explore and cool down and for families to spend quality time together in a safe, inclusive and inspiring environment.”
Council invites the community to review the draft concept and share feedback during the public exhibition period.
“The draft design has been carefully developed to fit within the project budget and while we welcome community feedback, any changes must remain within the approved funding,” Cr Mack added.
Feedback will be reviewed and finalised prior to the detailed design phase.
Click here for more information and to provide feedback before 26 September.
