Community
20 August, 2021
Have your say on playground design
A NEW playground could bring a bite to the fig tree at Rex Smeal Park, in Port Douglas.
A NEW playground could bring a bite to the fig tree at Rex Smeal Park, in Port Douglas.
Douglas Shire Council has released concept designs of a new Green Ant adventure play space for public consultation.
Council officers have worked with Landplan director Simon Maher – the man behind the popular Centenary Lakes Nature Play and Fig Tree Adventure Playground in Cairns.
The playground would be built entirely in the area under the fig tree, making full use of the shade this magnificent
tree provides.
Douglas Shire Mayor Michael Kerr said Council wanted to build a special playground that would attract families from neighbouring regions to Port Douglas.
“We want to get feedback on this exciting concept which features rope bridges, plenty of climbing and slides to keep the children entertained for hours,” he said.
“We don’t want just any playground at Rex Smeal Park, we want something eye-catching that celebrates our region, and anyone who has spent time in Far North Queensland knows about green ants.
“Like children, green ants love climbing so we feel paying homage to this iconic ant is a creative way to encourage more visitors to enjoy our wonderful area.”
“We believe locals will love it, and it also has potential to be a landmark piece of tourism infrastructure to draw in more domestic travellers.”
The playground would be built under the shade of the existing fig tree, ensuring the site makes the most of the space already there and blends in with the iconic park.
It would feature an enchanted forest where children will discover larger than life creatures such as dragon flies, butterflies and cicadas; hidden tunnels and a lookout atop the larger-than-life green ant’s nest
five-metres in the air.
The design incorporates something for a wide age group from toddlers through to tweenagers, and adults who are young at heart.
More information and images may be found on Council’s website: www.douglas.qld.gov.au
Council has allocated funding to complete detailed design and technical specifications.
With a shovel ready project, Council will be seeking grant funding for capital costs to build the facility.
Feedback from residents is requested by August 27, (next Friday).
