Four times the fun as City of Newcastle begins $750,000 playground upgrades

Work will begin tomorrow on a new playground and half-court basketball area at Beauford Avenue Reserve in Maryland as part of City of Newcastle's annual Playground Replacement Program.

Playgrounds at Morpeth Road Reserve at Waratah West, Johnson Park at Lambton and Stockton Pool will also be replaced as part of a $750,000 investment to provide improved recreational opportunities for families across the local government area.

An artist's impression of the new playground and half-court basketball facility being built by City of Newcastle at Beauford Avenue Reserve in Maryland.

City of Newcastle's Executive Manager Community and Recreation Lynn Duffy said the Playground Replacement Program has upgraded, replaced or improved 28 popular recreational areas since 2018.

"We know parks and playgrounds are an integral part of life in Newcastle," Ms Duffy said.

"City of Newcastle has invested more than $14 million into playground projects across Newcastle during the past seven Budgets as part of our commitment to delivering enhanced and accessible recreational opportunities for the community. 

“Additionally, the draft 2025/26 Budget features $10 million for the Foreshore Park inclusive playspace, which will be the city’s first regional level playground, with $750,000 also included for the local playground renewals.

"The four playgrounds chosen as part of this year's Playground Replacement Program will receive new equipment such as nest seat swings, climbing structures, a variety of slides, rubber softfall and inground trampolines.

"Work will begin at Maryland tomorrow and over the next few weeks we'll carry out demolition, drainage improvements, concreting and sandstone elements to get the site ready for the equipment as soon as possible."

Chair of City of Newcastle’s Infrastructure Strategic Advisory Committee, Councillor Peta Winney-Baartz, said it's important to consider the needs of all users when designing playgrounds.

"We aim to deliver enhanced and accessible playspaces for children right across the city," Ms Winney-Baartz said.

"We've incorporated inclusive play elements into each location, as well as challenging play components such as slides and bridges.

"Beauford Avenue Reserve Playground and Stockton Pool Playground will have new paths added to ensure everyone can access the facilities."

The playground at Stockton Pool is due to be replaced by the time swimmers return to the facility in September, in addition to new barbecue shelters.

Morpeth Road Reserve and Johnson Park playgrounds are scheduled to be completed by the end of the year.