New Botanic Gardens playground and improved zoo access for Rockhampton

The redeveloped playground at Rockhampton Botanic Gardens has officially opened with Rockhampton Regional Council also advising that access to the Zoo will be improved with an expanded car park.

The new playground was delivered via $1.6 million in funding from the Queensland Government’s Works for Queensland program. The playground features pieces inspired by Rockhampton zoo animals such as Valkyrie the wedge-tail eagle, Henry the emu, Ernie the dingo and the chimp troop.

Located in the same spot as the previous playground, the new facility boasts a 4.6-metre-tall dingo play tower as the centrepiece of the playground.

Local State Member for Rockhampton Barry O’Rourke welcomed the opening of the Botanic Gardens new and improved playground and noted “the new playground is going to create a lot of lifelong memories for local families and will be a major draw card for the Botanic Gardens.”

Rockhampton Region Mayor Tony Williams said the community celebrated the official opening at a free family event on Saturday morning and added “It was such an honour to officially open the playground with our community in attendance during Parks Week on the weekend.

“The smiles on the children’s faces (and their parents) as they played on over 500 different play elements said it all; it’s definitely a new favourite!”

Parks, Sport and Public Spaces Councillor Cherie Rutherford said both the young and young at heart were delighted with the newest addition to the Botanic Gardens on the weekend.

“This incredible playground is such a special addition to our wonderful Botanic Gardens, adding yet another element of fun and excitement for both locals and visitors alike,” Rutherford said and added “It is an extremely exciting time for the Botanic Gardens and Zoo with even more big things planned for the future as part of the redevelopment.”

Rockhampton Regional Council has also announced that as part of the Botanic Gardens and Zoo redevelopment a brand-new carpark is being added to make visiting the gardens even easier.

Rutherford added “It truly is a special area, and we want people to continue visiting and enjoying everything the gardens and zoo has to offer, which is why we decided to invest in more carparking.

“The 58 new parks being completed by local company, Hendrie Constructions, will also include new pathways and landscaping to complement the natural surroundings.

“The carpark will be constructed opposite the zoo entrance, building on from the existing car park, and will provide parking for not only the gardens and zoo area but also for the nearby Athelstane Bowls Club.

“I know the extra carparking will be a welcome addition for the community and I look forward to seeing even more happy faces enjoying the Botanic Gardens and Zoo.”

Images from top: Rockhampton Mayor Tony Williams and MP Barry O'Rourke hold a crepe paper ribbon over a slide as a little boy slides down to officially open the playground; 4.6-metre-tall dingo play tower; enjoying the new playground. Credit: Rockhampton Regional Council