St Clair’s new inclusive playspace complete

Monday, 19 September 2022

St Clair residents and school children can enjoy their new inclusive playspace with the upgrade of the David Currie Playspace now complete.

Formerly known as Banks Drive Playground, the new playspace has been renamed in honour of the late David Currie who was a passionate disability advocate for Penrith. The inclusive playspace invites people of all ages and abilities to play, stay and relax.

Penrith Mayor Tricia Hitchen said the playspace is a wonderful reflection of David’s passion for making Penrith more accessible for all community members.

“David was an active member of Council’s Access Committee and worked tirelessly in this role to ensure people with disabilities could engage in a more fulfilling civic life,” Cr Hitchen said.

“David’s dedication and passion for helping others will live on in this new playspace. He was an inspiration and this playspace will be a constant reminder of the work he did, and the difference he made in Penrith.”

The final design was developed in consultation with local residents and school children, with many of their ideas incorporated into the design to ensure the needs of children and parents of children with different abilities were met and that the playspace would be a lasting legacy they could be proud of.

A key feature of the upgrade is a fully fenced, inclusive playspace with a variety of equipment for all ages and abilities including an accessible spinner, climbing net and slide, multi-bay swing, sensory play, wheelchair accessible trampoline and an inclusive double flying fox.

The upgrade also includes new pathways, fitness equipment, basketball half court, seating, an accessible bike track, shade sails, landscaping, picnic shelter and car park upgrades.

The $856,000 upgrade was jointly funded by Penrith City Council who contributed $511,000, the Australian Government who contributed $270,000 through the Local Roads and Community Infrastructure Program, and the NSW Government who contributed $75,000 through the Everyone Can Play program.

The Department of Planning and Environment’s Commissioner for Open Space and Parklands Fiona Morrison said people and communities are at the heart of our decision-making around the future of public spaces, and we want those locations to be free, green, open, and readily accessible to everyone.

“We’ve worked closely with Penrith City Council throughout the Everyone Can Play program and are proud to have helped deliver a playspace that incorporates the area's character, while ensuring it’s inclusive for everyone,” Commissioner Morrison said.

Member for Mulgoa Tanya Davies MP said the David Currie Playspace was supported by the NSW Government’s Everyone Can Play program which aims to build playspaces to ensure people of all ages, abilities and cultural backgrounds can play.

Council will also begin construction on a new amenities building this year which will include an adult change space, accessible toilet and ambulant toilet.

Find out more at: yoursaypenrith.com.au/banksdrive

Photo captions:
First image – Penrith Mayor Tricia Hitchen, Margaret Currie and Member for Mulgoa Tanya Davies unveil the commemorative plaque at the new David Currie Playspace.
Second image – Penrith Mayor Tricia Hitchen and Member for Mulgoa Tanya Davies check out the inclusive flying fox with David Currie’s daughter, Elizabeth, and grandchildren Lucas, 4, Sophia, 7, and Isla, 9.

Information contained within this news release was correct as at Monday, 19 September 2022.