Willoughby Council adopts placemaking approach for public spaces and recreation strategy

Willoughby City Council, on Sydney’s North Shore, is adopting the Public Spaces and Recreation Strategy which embraces a placemaking lens.

This means identifying opportunities to reimagine public spaces in partnership with Council’s community to increase recreational opportunities and deliver future public spaces that respond to community needs and interests.

The strategy was adopted by Council at its Ordinary Meeting on 25th March 2024, and marks a significant milestone in the city’s commitment to enhancing recreational opportunities and creating inclusive, engaging public spaces for residents and visitors.

The placemaking approach is underpinned by active community involvement and shared responsibility for public space design, activation and management. This will allow Council to be more flexible and adaptable in their recreational offerings, as well as test and validate ideas promptly to ensure they suit community’s needs.

The five opportunities outlined in the strategy are:

1. Create and promote a network of public spaces via recreational links.

2. Leverage future development and underutilised assets to deliver new public spaces.

3. Activate existing public spaces for increased recreational participation.

4. Encourage shared use and multi-purpose design of sports spaces.

5. Promote collaborative and co-ordinated planning and delivery.

Willoughby Mayor Tanya Taylor expressed her support for the adoption of the Public Spaces and Recreation Strategy and shared "this strategy represents a bold vision for the future of Willoughby, one that prioritises the well-being and happiness of our residents. By embracing placemaking principles and fostering vibrant public spaces, we are creating a city that is inclusive, connected, and resilient."

The implementation of the Public Spaces and Recreation Strategy will commence immediately with a series of initiatives and pilot projects planned for the coming months.

Image. Credit: Willoughby City Council