Gladstone Region Acting Mayor Chris Trevor said the playground equipment installations in parks in Seventeen Seventy and Gladstone were part of works adopted in Council’s 2018/19 Budget.

“These parks were identified for works as part of a wider playground replacement program,” Councillor Trevor said.

Council has engaged Austek Play for the supply and installation of playground equipment.

Weather permitting, the playground work will occur at:

• Endeavour Park, Seventeen Seventy from 15-18 July and
• Reg Tanna Park, Gladstone from 18-23 July.

Works will include removal of existing playground equipment, installation of new playground equipment, softfall top up, turf and topsoil.

“Residents who regularly visit these playgrounds should be mindful that playground equipment will be unavailable for a few days next month,” Councillor Trevor said.

“These works will occur when school resumes after the June-July school holidays so playground equipment will still be in place and be able to be used in the mid-year school break.

“When work starts, within temporary fencing, visitors to the park are urged to be mindful of safety and to obey signage.”

The playground equipment designs will feature swings, slides and climbing apparatus.

“There will be plenty of scope for young imaginations at play for our young residents and visitors to the Gladstone Region,” Cr Trevor said.

Both playgrounds are in areas naturally shaded during various times of the day.

“Council asks parents to employ SunSmart measures such as protecting their children from the sun’s UV rays by encouraging them to wear hats, sunscreen and protective clothing and avoiding outdoor play during the hottest part of the day,” Cr Trevor said.

Parents can take additional steps to enhance youngster’s playground experience by ensuring any equipment and surrounding softfall is not too hot to use with the best time for children to safely and comfortably use playgrounds being before 10am and after 3pm.