Draft concept plans for new youth recreation area at Tweed Heads open for feedback

Tweed Shire Council advises that with construction of the Tweed’s new inclusive play space in Goorimahbah – Place of Stories underway at Jack Evans Boat Harbour, their focus is now turning to the planning and delivery of Stage 2 of the park. The draft concept plan for the youth recreation space is now open for community feedback.

Council partnered with local youth, Young Change Agents, community members, designers (including Convic) and Council staff at a workshop earlier this year to design the youth recreation facilities at Jack Evans Boat Harbour, which will be located adjacent to the new inclusive play space.

Stage 2 works for the upgrade of Jack Evans Boat Harbour will include:

• a youth recreation area

• additional seating, picnic tables and barbeque facilities outside of the fenced play space

• additional trees and landscaping improvements

• a yarning circle and an Aboriginal memorial wall.

Council partnered with local youth, Young Change Agents, community members, designers (including Convic) and Council staff at a workshop earlier this year to design the youth recreation facilities at Jack Evans Boat Harbour, which will be located adjacent to the new inclusive play space.

The workshop helped determine what recreation facilities and park amenities young people would like to see in this regional park, to better support opportunities for physical activity and social connection with friends and family.

The proposed youth recreation area will include s-shaped seating with shade umbrellas, basketball quay and small-scale skate elements, drinking fountain, connecting pathways and landscaping and public art elements.

Feedback from the community co-design workshop and previous community engagement activities informed the draft concept plan.

Council’s Manager of Parks and Active Communities Murray Smith said it was exciting to progress the next stage of this park for the Tweed’s youth.

Smith noted “the need for a youth recreation area to accommodate young people aged eight to 14 years was identified following extensive research and community consultation with Tweed residents. Jack Evans is a great regional park and should meet the needs of people of all ages and abilities.

“It’s good to see the ideas of our local youth come to life in the concept plan and we can’t wait to get started on the construction stage of this project.”

Council was successful in its application through the Federal Government’s Building Better Regions Fund – Infrastructure Projects Stream and the NSW Government’s Stronger Country Communities Fund to fund this second stage of the project, including the youth recreation area.

The draft concept plan for the youth recreation space is now open for feedback. Residents are invited to review the draft plan and complete a short survey to have their say by 21st September 2022 at yoursaytweed.com.au/goorimahbah.