Popular Waterplay Park to be expanded Council’s has allocated $300k in the 2016/2017 capital budget to fund the expansion of the highly popular Waterplay Park in South Marrickville as well as general improvements. The park, in Steel Park South Marrickville adjacent to the Cooks River, is not only a well-patronised destination for local residents but also attracts large numbers of people from outside the Inner West Council local government area. A recent survey showed that half the families who use the park say they visit at least fortnightly during the summer months. The vast majority of respondents spend one or more hours at the park at a time. Almost all were the parents of children under 10 years of age. The facility was opened on 7 November 2010. It provides a space where children can watch, experience, manipulate, and be creative with water, with interactive fountains, sprinklers and misty spray elements. The surrounding park includes a saltmarsh, grassed swales and rain gardens that filter runoff into the Cooks River. As part of a five-year review of the facility, users were given six options of potential works and asked to prioritise them. They asked for more shade and seating, more waterplay facilities, a softfall area, and a separate area for small children, as well as more picnic facilities. These findings informed the expansion and improvement plan. A fenced extension to the Waterplay incorporating softfall pavement will be installed, as will more seating and an additional shade structure. As well as the extension, other general improvements will include more paving and fencing. “The potential of this facility was always recognised by the former Marrickville Councillors - especially ex-Mayor Sam Iskandar who was an enthusiastic supporter right from the start. Once it opened, it was also completely embraced by the community,” said the Administrator of Inner West Council Richard Pearson. “It has since been enjoyed by literally hundreds and hundreds of inner west children and their families. “I am also very proud that the Waterplay Park is about more than just play. It is about the whole water cycle, from storm water remediation, water recycling, and water purification. That entire corner of Steel Park is an environmental process in action,” he said. “I’m pleased that Council can now, at the five year mark, make the facility even better. This is part of the new Council’s commitment to deliver great services to the community and improve infrastructure across the new Council area.” Council has resolved to include an allocation of $300,000 in the 2016/2017 capital budget for the proposed works, which will be completed in time for the 2017/18 summer. The Budget and Operational Plan were adopted at last night’s Council Meeting. The Waterplay Park operates daily between 10am – 6pm, October - March.
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