Apex Lakeside Park seemed like a miniature Disney Land over the weekend when 600 children took to the playground to enjoy the new facilities which have been open since last Friday.
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The park closed on May 8 so that Forbes Shire Council could begin the $200,000 upgrades and despite being hindered by wet weather and an expansion of the project scope, the park is now open for business.
Mayor Ron Penny says the park offers something for all ages.
“Key features include a brand new toddler and primary area with soft fall rubber surrounding, toddler climbing structure and swing seats, talk tubes, multi-person swings, slides and climbing wall,” Cr Penny said.
“The primary and teenage children can enjoy nest swings, Galaxia hanging swing and a huge flying fox and we were also thrilled with the installation of a Liberty Swing, specifically designed for people in wheelchairs, allowing them to swing while still in their wheelchair.”
As part of the upgrade, the barbeque area was jointly funded between Forbes Shire Council and Friends of Apex who put in an additional $30,000 to the project.
The barbeque area received additional seating, a new three hot plate barbeque, new lighting and a new roof making it a clean, modern facility.
While council is thrilled with the progress to date, Cr Penny says there are still a number of elements to be added including new shade sails, additional rubbish bins and more landscaping to delineate the separation of areas.
“We expect to close the park for one to two days while we dismantle the current worn out shade sails to erect the new, however this will be the icing on the cake for the park,” he said.
“I sincerely hope you all enjoy what is now a feature for families within and travelling through the Forbes community.”
The upgrades to Apex Lakeside Park are the beginning of works planned for all the parks in Forbes, which council plans to undertake over the coming years.