Neighbourhood Parks Upgrades

The Thomas Park upgrade is intended to open the park and playspace to a wider range of visitors, including people with disabilities, by providing a bigger and updated range of play activities. 

The upgrade will include the replacement of the existing playspace, the creation of a bike loop and provision of connecting accessible paths from the parking area to the shelter and the playspace. 

The replacement of the existing playspace will include total replacement of the aged play equipment with new equipment in both nature play and traditional styles. (Please note that while a playground may still look serviceable at first glance, many of its components may be reaching the end of their intended lifespan. Over time, equipment can deteriorate in ways that aren’t always visible: materials weaken, safety standards evolve, and wear and tear from regular use accumulates). 

The updated play equipment will meet current safety standards and is designed to last another 20 years.

This final design responds to the community desire for the safer option of a separated bike and playspace, and to requests to include a slide and to ensure that the swings were accessible to wheelchair users. The community consultation included ideas and requests for other items which could not be included due to grant requirements, park suitability or budget constraints. These ideas and requests have been noted and may be explored for inclusion in future works.

These will appeal to a range of ages and includes:

• A generous four bay swing set, including a nest swing and an expression swing (which seats an adult and child at the same time)
• A climbing net in the shape of a spider web
• A climbing platform with a wide low slide suitable and safe for toddlers
• A long balance trail and
• the play space will be separated from the bike loop by a wall of sensory items and sandstone logs that will also provide informal seating. 

The new bike loop will feature include:

• rollers
• a berm around one end, 
• mounds to ride over or around to improve agility skills and
• optional riding challenges including skinnies and a bunny hop.  

We heard from the community that seating areas are very important to users. The upgrade will also provide additional seating in the park. There will still be four tables in the park, however one table will be moved out of the shelter and relocated closer to the playspace. This allows for wheelchair circulation space within the shelter to the remaining table, and responds to community requests to locate a picnic table closer to the playspace. Additional seating will be added along the edge of the shelter with sandstone blocks and bench seating (the exact details of the blocks and bench seating are still being finalised).  

In addition there will also be an new bench seat between the play space and bike track and the opportunity for informal seating on the sandstone logs, also between the play space and the track.

The Golden Horizons upgrade is intended to open the park and playspace to a wider range of visitors by providing a greater range of play options, accessible connections, and also ensure the equipment remains safe, durable, and enjoyable for the next 20 years. 

The upgrade will bring the two play spaces together, replacing the aged play equipment with new and modern equipment, and providing a fun play area for kids with bikes, scooters and skatebords. (Please note that while a playground may still look serviceable at first glance, many of its components may be reaching the end of their intended lifespan. Over time, equipment can deteriorate in ways that aren’t always visible: materials weaken, safety standards evolve, and wear and tear from regular use accumulates). 

The updated play equipment will meet current safety standards and is designed to last another 20 years.

 The proposed design includes  ;

• Combined swings including a nest swing, baby bucket and normal sling swing
• A climbing structure with junior dual slides and a taller curved tube slide
• A climbing and hangout net cube which includes more challenging climbing
• Play panels for imagination and tactile play, and 
• A balance trail with nature play elements

The bike loop will add a whole new dimension of play to Golden Horizons Park by opening it up for kids on bikes and other wheels. The final design of the bike loop has combined the strongly expressed preference in community feedback for both imaginative bike play with street signs, including a swivel Stop/Go construction sign and a Petrol Station to help teach road rules, and agility features to help kids improve balance and riding skills. It is hoped that the bike loop will help learners build riding skills which will lead to even more fun at the recently constructed pump track at Buttenshaw Park in Springwood or mountain bike riding elsewhere in the Blue Mountains.

Complimenting the play opportunities will be group seating away from the play equipment for teenagers to hangout, walking groups to meet up or parents and carers to enjoy a quiet coffee while the kids play.  

This final design responds to the strong support the community expressed for these play features and included specific requests including a bucket style baby seat, a low slide for toddlers, and for play items that will appeal to older children.  

The community consultation also included ideas and requests for other items which could not be included due to grant requirements, park suitability or budget constraints. These ideas and requests have been noted and may be explored for inclusion in future works.

The Medlow Bath Park upgrade is intended to open the park and playspace to a wider range of visitors by providing a greater range of play options, and also ensure the play equipment remains safe, durable, and enjoyable for the next 20 years.. 

The upgrade of Medlow Park will include works to the existing playspace and the addition of a new playspace. 

The works will include total replacement of the aged play equipment with new and modern equipment. (Please note that while a playground may still look serviceable at first glance, many of its components may be reaching the end of their intended lifespan. Over time, equipment can deteriorate in ways that aren’t always visible: materials weaken, safety standards evolve, and wear and tear from regular use accumulates). 

These are designed to appeal to a range of ages and include:

•    A three swing swing set including a nest swing 

•    A modern and safe version of a see saw

•    A climbing tower with a junior slide and a taller spiral tube slide

•    A new track glide

•    Play panels  for imagination and tactile play and 

•    A balance trail with nature play elements

This playspace will be partially enclosed by sandstone logs that will also provide informal seating, so adults watching children will be comfortable. 

Community consultation did not strongly support a proposed cubby at the upper playspace, and some safety concerns were raised. Instead, a new playspace will be added near the picnic shelter that will be fully wheelchair accessible, with paths connecting to parking, accessible toilet, bubbler and seating in the picnic shelter. 

This space includes:

•    One spinning music maker and one xylophone musical instrument

•    A imagination play panel referencing the history of the Hydro Majestic Hotel in Medlow Bath, and

•    A pair of tube talkers. 

The updated play equipment will meet current safety standards and is designed to last another 20 years.

One frequently mentioned desire was for more seating and shelters. The park already includes a picnic shelter, as well as many trees and seats. As a neighbourhood park with relatively low tourism levels, it is expected that locals have the capacity to bring picnic chairs and/or picnic rugs if groups are expected. Having understood there is a particular need for a picnic setting near the playspace, it is proposed to refurbish and relocate one picnic setting, which is located on the sloping lawn, down to a level area immediately adjacent the main play area. 

The community consultation also included ideas and requests for other items which could not be included due to grant requirements, park suitability or budget constraints. These ideas and requests have been noted and may be explored for inclusion in future works.