Community
7 December, 2023
New seaside playground
A NEW $500,000 children’s playground is to be built in the heart of Port Douglas at Rex Smeal Park and due for completion mid-next year.
A contract to construct the play area was awarded to Mowbray playground supplier AAA Playscapes at a special council meeting last week.
Douglas Shire Mayor Michael Kerr said the project received overwhelming support at the meeting.
“Reef and rainforest day trips might be at the top of to-do lists for adult tourists but a playground can be the equivalent drawcard for young children,” he said.
“I’m sure families across the Douglas Shire are also looking forward to having another venue for the kids to burn off some energy.
“We all know the benefits of physical activity and testing skills on challenging equipment but, put simply, playgrounds are just fun.”
Installing a new playground at the park has been a priority for the council.
It had applied for a Federal Government grant to partly fund the project but delays with that program would have pushed the completion date back to late 2024.
Cr Kerr said the council wanted the playground sooner rather than waiting until next year to find out if it had been successful securing the grant.
