Call For A Community Park For Young Sparks Interest

Young resident Colin Hardwick’s call for a community park has begun to get some traction.

Mr Hardwick attended a meeting with the Young Lions Club to talk about his idea.

“The Lions Club have decided to undertake this as a project,” Mr Hardwick said. “I’m not quite sure how it is going to work yet, but they are pretty determined to get it started. It is something that is sorely needed.”

Mr Hardwick said the Lions Club had moved “that the Lions Club of Young apply to Hilltops Council for the in-principle support for a community playground at Alfred Oval.

“We are not asking the Council for money,” Mr Hardwick said. “In my experience there are resources available within the communities for these types of community projects and ways to fundraise to offset costs.”

What they are asking is for Council to support the idea in principle and to appoint one person within Council to liaise with the group to ensure all guidelines are followed. Mr Hardwick emailed every member of the Hilltops Council, with his suggestion for a community playground at Alfred Oval. “It has a large flat area, toilets and a safe area to ride bikes and scooters,” Mr Hardwick said. “It is also the nearest oval to town and is also adjacent to the existing walking track along the creek.”

Mr Hardwick received replies from Mayor Brian Ingram and Councillor Mary Dodds.

“When Brian returned the email, his main concern was, “how do we fund this?”,” Mr Hardwick said.

“We’re not going to ask the Council for money.

“We think, with the community, there's enough resources to get this done.

“When I put it to the Lions Club meeting, they said, “Yes, we will support this; support it to get it started.”

Mr Hardwick said he had spoken with many members of the community who would love to see a community park, equipped with a bench where mothers can sit down and watch children and a sandpit for the kids to play in at the bare minimum to begin with.

“The older kids can ride their bikes and scooters around Alfred Park,” Mr Hardwick said.

“It needs to be in close proximity to the swimming pool and bicycle track; a place for all families.

“Now it needs to gain momentum.”