TURRELLA RESERVE PLAYGROUND UPGRADE

BIG CHANGES FOR THE BETTER

Many of you probably noticed the fencing that was erected around the Turrella Reserve playground last year as work commenced on a long-awaited upgrade. In December, the new and improved playground and facilities were finally opened.

On my walk in early January, I checked out those new facilities. Most notable is the new play equipment, which is distributed between gardens with new plantings and connected by crushed gravel paths. The playground is shaded by mature trees, which have been preserved. There are three new picnic tables under shelters connected by a concrete pathway, as you can see below.

Several new park benches have also been installed, as well as two sets of ibis-proof rubbish bins with recycling bins next to them. Four of the older picnic tables are still located nearby.

There are now two unisex toilets in the playground. Editor’s note: These long-awaited toilets are a huge improvement for school groups, track walkers and seniors. Though the composting toilets didn’t cope long with the large numbers of people at the Bat Watch Picnic in March and blocked up early in the evening.

There are also two new electric barbecues with taps and a water fountain with NPWS branding next to the public toilets.

I was baffled by a piece of solar-powered infrastructure facing the toilets, until I took a closer look. The CCTV cameras, siren and red lights indicate that its main function is surveillance. Finally, NPWS have also installed a new walking track sign nearby, at the north end of Turrella Creek, that runs into Wolli Creek.

Chris Jordens

WCPS President