Push for a sensory park in Erskine

ERSKINE residents are calling for a fenced community park in south Mandurah.

On Saturday, about 50 residents gathered and signed a petition to show their support for turning a storm water pit in Galbraith Loop into a park.

Ideas for a park include nature play areas, a sensory wall, a sandpit, an in-ground trampoline, a community garden, exercise equipment and disabled equipment.

Little Aussie Café owner Jo Cooper said residents would like something similar to Caterpillar Park for the southern suburbs.

She said it could be a sensory park so everyone could enjoy it, such as children with Autism.

“We’d like it to be suitable for seniors too,” Mrs Cooper said.

“There could also be a community garden with vegetables and we could sell the produce.”

Dawesville MLA Zak Kirkup said the storm water pit looked shabby.

He said the park could be all-inclusive: catering for children with disabilities and children in their late teens and early 20s.

Resident Darren Scott said the site was a wasted opportunity and there was a need for an enclosed inclusive park in the southern suburbs.

City of Mandurah chief executive Mark Newman said the park was not something that had been considered previously.

“The site provides an important stormwater drainage function,” he said.

The City of Mandurah has not considered converting the site into a park because: * A desktop review estimates that works would cost between $340,000 and $445,000; * The costs are considerable as an underground drainage system would have to be installed if the area was to be covered and used as a park; and * If there was the option of private sector/external funding this may make the option more viable.

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