Recent Newcastle City Council revamps of Centennial Park in Cooks Hill, Wallsend Park in Wallsend and Tourle St Park in Mayfield demonstrate how quality playground improvements can transform the look and feel of an area.

Public spaces are activated, people increase their outdoor activity, parents become more social and community pride swells.

We are committed to upgrading up to five of our 120 playgrounds across Newcastle each financial year, with $150,000 spent on each overhaul.

This is a significant increase in the budget allocated even just a few years ago, and reflects the growing importance both council and the community place on offering quality playgrounds throughout the city.

Playgrounds earmarked for improvement are selected based on an independent playground audit done every two years to assess their condition and compliance with current safety guidelines.

From March, we're beginning a complete transformation of the ageing playground in Smith Park, Hamilton North.

Feedback from the local community was considered when planning a new playground at Grahame Park in Carrington, where work will begin in April.

We're including  aesthetic elements of timber and steel in the upgrades.