New playground equipment has been installed at Rathmines Park following an arson attack in late July that destroyed much of the popular play area.
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The bright new playground structure is modelled on the one it replaced, with the same range of play features.
While the playground has remained open since the incident, the main structure had to be removed due to fire damage.
Council fast-tracked replacement of the equipment to ensure the playground was quickly restored for use by local and visiting families.
“Council is very pleased to be able to restore this much-loved facility so quickly after such a senseless attack,” Lake Macquarie Mayor Kay Fraser said.
“Rathmines Park is one of our most popular playgrounds and the community has a strong attachment to it, as shown by the strong, emotional response to the incident in July.
“It is wonderful to know the playground will be filled with children again this weekend and I congratulate Council staff on delivering the new equipment so efficiently.”
The playground has a Catalina theme, in keeping with the local heritage of Rathmines as a World War II amphibious aircraft base, with the play area’s dimensions matching the length and wing span of the aircraft.
Webb Park open
In other playground news, Redhead’s Webb Park playground has also reopened for play.
It’s undergone a beach-inspired makeover that has seen the addition of a surfboard flying fox and a wave-shaped climbing structure to the popular seaside play area.
Mayor of Lake Macquarie, Councillor Kay Fraser, today inspected the new facilities at the park, which reopened to the public on Monday.
“Families have been really looking forward to this revamped recreational area – we had people lining up to use it as staff removed the safety fencing yesterday,” Cr Fraser said.
“Webb Park is a popular playground, being so close to the beach and located in an area with many young families.
“With this upgrade, it will accommodate more children and offer a greater diversity of activities to cater for children of different ages and abilities.
“It is a very inviting play area and the beach theme beautifully complements the surrounding environment.”
The playground upgrade began in July and work was expedited to ensure the new equipment was available to families for the warmer months.
Improvements have also been made to the surrounding pathways and landscaping, and two accessible car parks have been installed.
