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Cassy’s legacy lives on with completion of skate park upgrade
The legacy of Cassy Jones has grown even stronger following the recent completion of the Cassy Lives Skate Park upgrade.
Minor works including landscaping, seating, bins and signage have now been completed through the Queensland Government’s COVID Works for Queensland program in association with Gladstone Regional Council.
Council undertook extensive community consultation prior to redesigning the skate park – firstly in October and November 2019 to understand the community’s needs and priorities regarding the skate park and again in July and August 2020 – with the latter offering the community a chance to vote on their favourite design.
Gladstone Region Mayor Matt Burnett said Design Option 2 was the most popular choice.
“This option complemented the style of the existing facilities in the area and the retained steel half pipe,” Councillor Burnett said.
“It also provides areas of flat open space with technical street features that can appeal to skaters of all skill levels.”
Member for Gladstone and Minister for Regional Development and Manufacturing and Minister for Water Glenn Butcher welcomed the upgrades to the Cassy Lives Skate Park.
“It’s fantastic to see these upgrades completed and open for the kids and families of Gladstone to enjoy,” Minister Butcher said.
“This investment is part of the Palaszczuk Government’s COVID-19 Economic Recovery Plan, which is creating jobs in the Gladstone Region now, when we need them the most.”
“I thank Mayor Matt Burnett and the Council for delivering this project which helps the Gladstone Region be the best place in Australia to live, work, and enjoy a great lifestyle.”
Cassy Lives Skate Park is named after Cassy Jones, who sadly passed away from melanoma, aged 14, on 1 August 1990.
In her last few months, Cassy set out to increase awareness of skin cancer by starting a campaign with the Queensland Cancer Fund.
Cassy also developed and raised money for her research fund, Cassy's Wish, which supported melanoma research and the Charles Wanstall Lodge in Herston, Brisbane.
Gladstone City Council, now Gladstone Regional Council, supported Cassy by naming a local park near Briffney Creek in her honour, naming it the Cassy Lives Park.
In 1996, within the park, Council constructed a skate park, which is still fondly known as the Cassy Lives Skate Park. Please visit https://conversations.gladstone.qld.gov.au/cassy-lives-skate-park for more information about Cassy Jones.
The $325,000 Cassy Lives Skate Park upgrade works was fully funded by the Queensland Government's COVID Works for Queensland program.
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