Construction starts on Stockton drawcard

Construction has started on a $1.9 million playground and skate plaza precinct at Griffith Park, Stockton.

The South Stockton Active Hub will be delivered by a specialist skate park construction firm and be built in two parallel rows shorter than the single 140-metre length first envisaged.

^{Lord Mayor Nuatali Nelmes with Stockton residents at Griffith Park}

The facility, which was revised following community feedback, will be situated at the southern end of the park adjacent to the harbour and a greater distance from neighbouring Hunter Street houses.

Lord Mayor Nuatali Nelmes said the playground will be complete with flying foxes, slides, climbing nets, swings and skate facilities, would draw more people across the Hunter River.

"This new playground will help to revitalise the Stockton foreshore by creating a vibrant, healthy and active outdoor-friendly space for the community," Lord Mayor Nuatali Nelmes said.

"The final design fits in perfectly with the existing amenities. We fielded submissions about a range of issues relating to the playground and skate plaza and, where possible, the concept plan has been amended to address them.

^{An artist impression of the South Stockton Active Hub at Griffith Park}
Among the changes are a reduced construction footprint and a design closer to the water to reduce noise impacts to Hunter Street residents.

"The Active Hub precinct will be built adjacent to existing outdoor sporting fields and recreation areas, allowing for adults and children to eat, play and socialise at their leisure."

The urban skate plaza and playground will be part funded by a $450,000 Newcastle Port Community Contribution Fund.

Parliamentary Secretary for the Hunter Scot MacDonald said he was excited to see this great community project come to fruition.

"It is great to see this project progressing that will activate Griffith Park for the Stockton community," Mr MacDonald said.

"The NSW Government is pleased to partner with City of Newcastle through the Newcastle Port Community Contribution Fund to deliver projects across Newcastle Harbour."

Features for the urban skate plaza include rails, angle ledges, hubbas, kerb cuts, A-frame kicker, zig zag ledge and a half pipe.

More information - Stockton projects and works