Thomas Park, Blaxland East

Last year, we undertook the first round of community consultation on the Neighbourhood Parks Upgrade of Thomas Park in Blaxland East. Thomas Park is one of 16 parks across the Blue Mountains that are being upgraded as part of the Neighbourhood Parks Program. We consulted with the community, community groups and organisations, sporting groups and schools. 

The consultation gathered information about who uses the park, who would like to use the park and what inclusions the community would like to see, within the scope of this project. What we learned helped inform the designs we are presenting to you now, each of which addresses key wants and needs expressed through the consultation.

• 26% of respondents use Thomas Park daily.
• 26% of respondents use Thomas Park weekly.
• 59% of respondents take children to the park aged up to 5 years.
• 28% of respondents take children to the park aged 5 to 10 years.
• 5% of respondents take children to the park aged over 10 years.
• 8% of respondents do not take children to the park.

The top three favoured upgrade inclusions were:

1. Add basic bike loop.
2. Replace play equipment - add flying fox or track glide.
3.  Add nature play – rocks, balance logs or similar.

Overall, the survey showed us:

• 48% of respondents voted to add basic bike loop.
• 47% of respondents voted to add slackline. 
• 39% of respondents voted to replace play equipment - add flying fox or track glide. 
• 39% of respondents voted to add nature play – rocks, balance logs or similar. 
• 36% of respondents voted for updating and refurbishing furniture and picnic shelters.
• 34% of respondents voted to replace play equipment and add swings.
• 27% of respondents voted to replace play equipment and add slides.

In the options we are presenting, we have tried to accommodate as much of the stated wants for the park as possible, while balancing budget and looking at what is available at other nearby parks.

Design description
The upgrade of Thomas Park will include:

• Replacement of the play space with new and modern equipment including a new accessible play features which will welcome all children;
• A new bike track for developing riders to learn more advanced riding skills;
• The existing picnic facilities and shelter will be improved and made fully new wheelchair accessible with more informal group seating; and
• Accessible parking on Boorea Road which will connect to the picnic facilities and play equipment via an accessible path.

This upgrade is intended to open the park and play space up to a wider range of visitors who will be able to safely access all the major features. There will be an excellent range of activities for younger children while also creating some social spaces for older children and teens away from the play space. The equipment is designed to create opportunities for a variety of play options:  

• 'Moving the body' play may include the rock climbing features to develop strength, help develop risk management and are good for younger and older children.
• 'Kinetic play' includes swings, slides and spring rockers to help develop balance skills.
• 'Social Play and Imagination Play' will bring kids together to develop social and cooperation skills, and be spontaneous and creative.
• 'Explorative play' is a hands-on investigation of the world around us.
• There are also many spaces around the play space where kids can engage in self-directed learning about the environment.

Council has listened to the community including gathering feedback from the local childcare centres about how the park is used for play and early childhood activities and also local residents who enjoy the beautiful trees and natural features of the park.

Two options for Thomas Park are presented below.  They both provide a bike loop, swings and climbing options, but respond to community input in different ways.
Option one provides a playspace with the standard popular style of climbing and imaginative play. It incorporates a few nature-play components. The bike track is integrated through and around the playspace.
Option two provides a larger and more challenging bike loop separated from the play area. The playspace elements, apart from the swings, are more in the nature play style.

Please take some time to check out the designs and share your thoughts with us through the survey.

Park layout showing playground

insert map

Playspace Option 1  

Playspace Option 2