A PETITION to install a playspace at a Sorrento park has received support.
The Joondalup council unanimously supported the installation at Lacepede Park at its meeting last week and voted to list $160,000 for consideration in its five-year capital works program.
The council had received a 30-signature petition in June that requested the City investigate the installation of “a small, family-based playspace within Lacepede Park”.
Get in front of tomorrow's news for FREE
Journalism for the curious Australian across politics, business, culture and opinion.
READ NOWAccording to the council report, the City has been investigating the distribution of playspaces across the City based on a 400m walkable catchment, and Lacepede Park falls within a gap.
“The installation of a new small nature playspace at Lacepede Park will place approximately 120 additional residences within the walkable catchment,” it said.
This was confirmed by a neighbouring resident who at the council briefing said it took 15 minutes to walk to the closest playground, which involved crossing main roads.
She said the Harbour Rise Estate in Sorrento was a new development with young families who would “very much appreciate” a playspace closer to home.
While the proposal at Lacepede Park was supported, the report indicates the steep topography of the site will present a challenge for the design and construction of a playspace and works will also be required to renew the balustrades on the retaining walls surrounding the lake.
Cr Christine Hamilton-Prime said she was “very supportive” of the proposal and encouraged the City to look at a nature-based playspace that would make “fantastic use of the natural shade”.
The council report said the City currently has 38 parks without playspaces that fall into gaps in the 400m walkable catchment, while it has 28 parks that overlap.
“Where an over provision has been identified, these playspaces would be considered for rationalisation at the end of their useful life,” the report said.
More news:
More talk on third party appeal rights
City denies further funding following tight budget review
New tenants needed after centre refurbishment
Delays leave coastal path inaccessible
Construction approval at Ocean Reef Marina a ‘very significant moment’