Works to Ken Schultz Park in Mount Austin have been completed. Photo: Wagga Wagga City Council.
Following consultation with the local community, Wagga Wagga City Council has revamped three playgrounds across the city.
Ken Schultz Park (Mount Austin), Ray Beddoe Park (Lake Albert) and Lloyd Park (Lloyd) have undergone improvements to better suit the needs of local families.
The design for each playground was chosen by the community via the council’s online engagement platform Have Your Say Wagga Wagga in September 2024, with works for each of the new playgrounds beginning in March this year.
Ken Schultz Park was the first of the three to receive a facelift, with works finishing at the end of March.
Ray Beddoe Park was the largest of the three upgrades, with the playground relocated closer to the Wagga Wagga Country Club to take advantage of more open space for the larger playground and the installation of a large stainless steel tube slide.
The Ray Beddoe works are expected to be completed shortly, with the installation of paths and concrete edging around the playground, while the old playground nearby will be removed in the next couple of weeks.
The biggest renovations as part of Wagga Council’s playground plan were made to Ray Beddoe Park in Lake Albert. Photo: WWCC.
Wagga Council’s Works and Playground Officer John Conlan said the three play spaces were open for the community to enjoy.
“I think local residents will be really pleased with how the designs they chose for these playgrounds have turned out now they have been installed,” Mr Conlan said.
“They all combine the traditional elements with modern features that you would expect to see at a local neighbourhood level playground, along with interactive sensory equipment and some bespoke elements, such as at the Ray Beddoe Park.
“Kids will be able to climb, swing or slide on the new equipment and just have fun playing in these transformed open spaces.
“Each of the new playgrounds caters for children aged from four years old to early teens, and has improved accessibility, with equipment at ground level and paths to make it easier to get around the playgrounds.
Works to Lloyd Park in Lloyd are still ongoing but are expected to be completed by the end of the month. Photo: Wagga Council.
“We are also planning to install shade sails over the new playground. That will depend on the outcome of a current grant application council has made through the Premier’s Department, Department of Communities and Justice – Community Building Partnership Program 2025,” Mr Conlan said.
“If we are successful, council will provide matched funding to enable the shade sails to be put in, hopefully sometime in spring.”
The upgrades are part of the council’s playground replacement program under the Playground Strategy 2024-2044.
