Ground breaking for new playspace at Riverglade Reserve

The first sod has been turned at Riverglade Reserve on the site for a new inclusive Livvi’s Place playspace.

Young community members who have been an integral part of the design and consultation process were on hand to break ground on the site this morning (Monday 29 March 2021), along with representatives of Hunter’s Hill Council, the State Government and Touched by Olivia, the charity behind the Livvi’s Place national network of inclusive playspaces.

Evander Conroy said he looked forward to having a playground on the site where everyone can play.

Lola Dominguez said she was excited.

“I think the best part is that everyone can have fun there,” she said.

The Government will provide $200,000 for the Livvi’s Place at Riverglade, with the Council matching the funding with a further $200,000.

Hunters Hill Mayor Ross Williams said it would be a welcome additional to the local area.

“This is a very important time for us in Hunters Hill, to have our first inclusive playground,” he said.

He thanked Evander and Lola for their contribution.

They had worked hard to make sure the playspace was relevant and worked well with the community, Clr Williams said.

Local State MP Anthony Roberts said this and other playspaces around the state worked within the NSW Department of Planning’s ‘Everyone Can Play’ guidelines, which helped create well designed, well thought our playgrounds.

“This is going to be a pretty fantastic, magical space for families and children,” he said of the Riverglade site.

Touched by Olivia director and co-founder John Perkins said his organisation was absolutely thrilled to be working on the first inclusive playground in Hunters Hill.

He said since the first of the now more than 40 (to date) Livvi’s Place playgrounds were installed about 13 years ago, so many parents had said how much the playspaces had changed their lives and made it so easy to get out with their children.

“It really does have a huge impact on the community,” he said.

MEDIA CONTACT: Jacqui Jones, Communications Officer. Phone: (02) 9879 9400

Email: jonesj@huntershill.nsw.gov.au

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