Casey families look forward to their new-look park. Photo: Daniella Jukic.
Casey residents want their park to have better spaces to play, meet with friends, have picnics and enjoy a barbecue, according to results of a recent survey.
The survey organised by local member for Yerrabi, Suzanne Orr, asked about 500 residents what Casey Community Recreation Park was lacking and what they would like added.
The results will help inform the ACT Government before it starts major upgrades to the park.
The most popular answers when asked what people wanted to do in their local park was ‘play’, followed by ‘meet with friends’ and ‘BBQ and picnic’.
According to the ensuing report from Ms Orr’s office, many respondents indicated they would love the upgrade to ensure families of all ages were able to use the park.
Seating and toilets were also identified as important and welcomed additions to the park so parents could sit in more comfortable surrounds and relax while watching children play.
Other suggestions included a water feature to enable nature play, climbing rocks and plants.
Adequate parking and an irrigated grass area were also identified as priorities.
There was also an extremely strong level of support for sporting facilities – especially a basketball court, dirt bike course and amphitheatre.
Many also wanted better play equipment such as a climbing frame, swings and flying fox.
There was a strong level of support for upgrading the dog park but not expanding it. Budget funding has been allocated to improving the dog park with scoping works likely to go ahead this financial year before construction next year.
A micro-forest and the establishment of a ‘friends of the park’ group also received strong votes of approval.
The survey closed on 18 January this year and received a total of 561 responses.
The draft concept plan of Casey Park has been released by the ACT Government – although there is further scope for changes.
The plan features a basketball court, fitness equipment circuit, grassed amphitheatre and shade trees, an all-abilities play space, picnic shelters and barbecue facilities – many of which had been suggested in the initial survey.
The draft concept plan for Casey Park. Image: ACT Government.
Ms Orr was pleased the draft design had been influenced heavily by the feedback provided. “For example, the inclusion of a basketball court was something that kept coming up when speaking to residents, and I’m very glad we are delivering one to the community,” she said.
She’s optimistic the future park will provide residents with what they want and need.
“The most popular feedback has been prioritised in the design and I’m confident Casey Recreational Park will have something every resident will love,” Mr Orr said.
Further consultation for the Casey Community Recreation Park project and a series of upgrades to Lake Tuggeranong is now open until Sunday, 8 May via the Your Say website.
A similar survey was conducted for Lake Tuggeranong and foreshore by local member for Brindabella Johnathan Davis.
It found residents wanted better – and more – basic infrastructure around the lake’s edge and improved water quality so they could spend more recreation time there.
Many amenities across Canberra including shopping centres and playgrounds are due for upgrades as part of what the government is touting as the Territory’s largest ever suburban infrastructure program.
Minister for Transport and City Services Chris Steel said the government had promised these upgrades and it was now time to hear from the communities of Tuggeranong and Casey about their priorities.
Upgrades to Gwydir Square shops in Kaleen and minor work on some play spaces are already underway.
Construction is scheduled to begin soon on upgrades to Campbell and Duffy shops and improvements to pedestrian and traffic infrastructure at Pialligo.
Original Article published by Lottie Twyford on Riotact.
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