Raby Esplanade Park Upgrade

The exciting new play and visitor spaces created over the last few years at Raby Esplanade Park will be finalised with remaining works expected to be completed early-mid March 2021, weather and site conditions permitting.

These final works included the installation of a wheeled learn to ride path with educational play styled road safety rules, traffic signals, roundabout, speed humps and a pedestrian crossing incorporated. A new bike and scooter rack, water bubbler and seating wall will also be installed. Turf and tree planting will complement the area adding valuable shade in the future within this area.

Council will rectify drainage issues that were identified from works undertaken in water play area of Stage 1 of Raby Esplanade Park, the works will also include additional softfall.

During this time Council will also take the opportunity to relocate the platform seat adjacent to the fitness equipment, which during rain events holds water within this space, to opposite the ping pong table.

Thank you for your patience during construction. Our delivery team will continue to work to minimise disruption to the public where possible.

Exciting new play spaces and equipment are being installed across Redlands Coast’s parks and playgrounds with many to reopen for the summer school holidays.

Redland City Mayor Karen Williams said the renovations were part of a $13.8 million budgeted program for parks, open space and conservation this financial year.

“Some of these works are part of larger staged park projects that will see improvements to facilities for a cross section of visitors,” she said.

“They include not only new play equipment, but in some cases half courts, picnic facilities, fitness equipment, barbecues and shade sails.

“I know Redlands Coast residents love their parks and these enhancements will ensure they remain great family locations for everyone to enjoy.”

A renewal project was completed last month at Denham Boulevard Park in Redland Bay.

It included the replacement of playground equipment, the installation of new rubber and sand softfall, and landscape features such as sandstone blocks, a sandstone play feature, topsoil and turf.

Current park improvement projects include:

• Liner Street Park, Wellington Point. Work includes the installation of new play equipment such as a net climbing unit and double swing, a table setting, sandstone seating, a new water bubbler and landscaping. Work is anticipated to finish early December (weather permitting).
• Raby Esplanade Park, Ormiston. Stage 2 includes the installation of an outdoor ping pong table, upgrade of the basketball half court with a multi-sport half court and goals, a new barbecue, drinking fountain, renewal of existing bollards, a new shelter with picnic facilities and connecting paths, additional car parking and shade sails over playground equipment. Construction is expected to finish mid-December (weather permitting).
• Sandalwood Street Corridor, Thornlands. This project includes the creation of a new play and park space with the installation of a play unit, track ride, double springer seesaw, double swing, climbing hut, a shelter with table setting, sandstone blocks, shade sail and a water bubbler. Work is hoped to finish late December (weather permitting).
• Plantation Place Park, Wellington Point. The refurbishment includes replacing the play unit with rope nets, slide, double swing and interactive play panels, along with an upgrade to the bike track to include safety elements for learner riders, and new seating. Construction is expected to be completed late February 2021 (weather permitting).

Council has now finalised the park design for Raby Esplanade Park, Ormiston.

The park design and staging has been based on community feedback, Council’s open space strategic objectives and traffic management requirements. What the community told us they wanted is reflected in Council’s July update for this project.

The following items are proposed for completion by end of June 2020:

· Renewal of existing playground

· Installation of public toilet (in central location)

· Placement of shade trees

· Beach access improvements

Future stages and works include additional picnic facilities, more shade trees and car parking spaces, renewal of the multi-purpose court, turf remediation, wheeled play facilities and path and drainage improvements.

All proposed park upgrades will be delivered in stages, subject to budget prioritisation and Council approval.

Council has consulted about upgrading Raby Esplanade Park, Ormiston including park embellishments and installing a public toilet.

Council invited residents within a 400-500m walkable catchment from the Park, to have their say on the prioritisation of future parks embellishments and three possible locations for the public toilet, including its internal and external finishes, to assist with the final design and works schedule.

Results from the community feedback, which closed on Sunday 7 July 2019, have now been analysed and show the following:

· Almost half or 48% of all survey respondents preferred the central location (6C) for the new public toilet location

· Over half or 54% of all survey respondents preferred ’Neutral’ (i.e. Dune and Wallaby) for the external toilet colouring

· Over half or 68% of all survey respondents preferred ’Custom’ finish (i.e. Custom finish: Walls – Aluminium composite sheeting, sharps bin. Colorbond – Surfmist)

· The top five prioritised park embellishments were: (i.e. 1 being the most important):

1. Beach nourishment
2. Shade trees
3. Playground renewal / upgrade
4. Turf improvements
5. BBQ / picnic facilities

· Other parks embellishment in order of priority were: cyclist’s redirection/ footpath connection; the learn-to-ride circuit; additional parking – along Raby Esplanade; additional exercise equipment, multi goal posts.

Taking into consideration this community feedback, Council will now proceed to finalise the design of Raby Esplanade Park upgrades with staged works to commence from this financial year. Staged works in future years will remain subject to detailed design, budget prioritisation and Council approval.

Thank you to participants for having your say.