A LOCAL council is set to give one of its parks a $300,000 government-funded facelift, including a new pump track for bikes and scooters.
Berri Barmera Council will spend $299,755 received through the Federal Government’s Local Roads and Community Infrastructure Program to upgrade Colin Jennings Apex Park in Berri.
The project aims to transform the park, located between Worman and Cooper Streets, into a “multi-functioning area that appeals to a wide age group and cross section of the community”.
At last month’s council meeting, elected members moved to endorse the concept plan for the project and proceed to community consultation.
The upgrades will include the conversion of the current BMX track to a pump track, additional play equipment, installation of an off-grid solar barbecue shelter, and the construction of new footpaths and an upgraded dog park fence.
Chief executive officer Karyn Burton said council had wanted to upgrade the park for several years.
“The upgrade will improve the liveability and attractiveness of our town, and offer further healthy lifestyle and active opportunities for our community,” she said.
“The focus of the upgrades will be less structured play.
“We will be installing some pieces of play equipment, but it will be about kids riding their bike or playing some sport, people taking their dog for a walk and things like that.”
The concept plan is available for local residents to view, with a survey for public feedback currently open.
Two other popular Berri public spaces, Glassey Park and the Coombe Street Reserve, are also set to be upgraded in the near future.
The Glassey Park master plan will be available later this financial year, while a multi-year, $7.7 million master plan for the Coombe Street Reserve was placed on hold pending the completion of other strategic plans and likely cost reductions after elected members raised “a number of concerns”.
“Some of the things we have in this concept plan were also planned for the Coombe Street Reserve master plan, so we want to make sure there are no unnecessary duplications,” Ms Burton said.
The survey for the Apex Park concept plan is available on council’s website (www.berribarmera.sa.gov.au) or in hardcopy through council’s offices and libraries.
The survey closes on Wednesday, February 24, 2021.