Romsey Ecotherapy Park receives final stage funding

Macedon Ranges Shire Council has received $615,000 funding for the third and final stage of the Romsey Ecotherapy Park which will add a woodland ramble and space to encourage nature play, including a hut building frame that will complement the climbing forest for older children and adults.

The Romsey Ecotherapy Park, less than an hour's drive north-west of Melbourne, has turned an old school site into a park which is designed to provide people of all ages and abilities a unique sensory and therapeutic experience through engagement with nature.

With the grant coming from the Regional Infrastructure Fund – Stimulus Round, Mayor Jennifer Anderson said Council is proud to collaborate with the Victorian Government and Romsey Ecotherapy Park Incorporated to deliver this community-driven project.

Mayor Anderson commended the Romsey Ecotherapy Park Incorporated committee for their vision and ongoing dedication to seeing this project realised and noted “with this funding announcement and the $70,000 committed by Council in our 2021/22 budget, we will be able to move swiftly from stage two to the third and final stage of this project.

“The project delivers an inviting and accessible recreation open space for local community members and regional visitors.”

Stage 1 of the Romsey Ecotherapy Park (the Active Nature Space) was completed in July 2018. The Active Nature Space along the Main Street side of the site forms the first stage of the park and includes a cubby under the branches of the significant oak tree, landscaped areas, seating, paths and nature-based play elements. The Australian Government ($215,000) and Council ($337,000) funded Stage 1.

Stage 2 of the park is to commence in mid-2021. This stage of the park’s development will include an events space with picnic and barbecue facilities, play spaces, an arts and culture space featuring several artistic features and a sensory garden all set within a beautifully landscaped area.