A fenced playground and ensuring the new stage / rotunda still allows views to the lake are two of the items incorporated into the Lions Park conceptual plan after community feedback.
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Forbes Shire Council received funding last year to give the picturesque lakeside park a makeover, and released a conceptual plan for public comment last month.
"The overall goal for the use of the park is to ensure it is event friendly, safe and accessible for families to use," Council's director corporate services wrote in a report to the February Council meeting.
"The park needs to host both an event precinct with large areas of shaded open space with view to the lake, as well as continue as a pop-up al fresco dining precinct."
The plans include two concrete pads with services for food vans, a fishing platform and formalised parking areas (restricting vehicle access to the waterfront).
A permanent stage / rotunda has been flagged for the area adjacent to the flagpoles.
Forbes Shire Council's March meeting tabled a number of comments on the plan and councillors voted to make some changes.
Some of the concerns raised were the placement of containers to store chairs, tables and items needed for events, and the placement of concrete slabs for food vans.
Those changes included:
- Increase the playground equipment and fence this area for safety, with adjacent seating for carers;
- Move the concrete slabs back from the event area and position as closely together as possible;
- Develop a stage / rotunda complex that does not block views to the lake and is flood compliant;
- Ensure the fishing platform has high levels of safety and access compliance;
- Install signage at the free camping area to direct people to the park;
- Liaise with container owners about consistent and appropriate artwork.
The council did give the go-ahead to the following works that are part of the plan:
- Relocate the ute and train to a corner location to be decided;
- Pipe and fill the drain;
- Formalise parking;
- Illuminate trees in the park;
- Install lights and power for the stage / rotunda area;
- Wheelchair access from the formalised carpark to fishing pontoon.
