Adventure around the corner

WORK is set to begin on a new adventure playground to be built at Swan Hill’s Riverside Park.

The playground will include an 8.7-metre high play tower, the first of its kind in Victoria, a 40-metre long double flying fox, a gyro swing with river views, a sandpit with canoe, digger and water pump.

Recycled materials from the Pioneer Settlement and Swan Hill saleyards are set to be used, and the space is also set to feature a custom-designed Aboriginal artwork by Sandra Kropinyeri and a large barbecue shelter.

The adventure playground is part of the $1.2 million project that also included the new skate park, funded by the state and federal government and council.

The adventure playground will be built on the southern end of Riverside Park, near the new skate park and the entrance to the caravan park.

It will have features for children of all ages — from toddlers right through to teens.

Swan Hill Rural City Council mayor Ann Young said the adventure playground would become a focal point for Riverside Park and for Swan Hill as a whole.

“I have no doubt that locals will love using this space, but we know that it will also be a destination for visitors in its own right,” she said.

“The variety of elements means children will keep being challenged as they get older and more confident, and so we hope that families will keep coming back.

“The adventure playground and the nearby skate park are part of the Swan Hill riverfront masterplan, our long-term plan to put some energy back into the riverfront with new public spaces and, eventually new private development.”

Cr Young said the 8.7-metre high play tower would be a feature of the playground, offering challenging play for older children.

Inside, staircases have been replaced with rope climbing and at the top, the reward is a triple twist spiral slide.

For younger children, there are stop-off points at different levels, with slides.

The flying fox will include seated and standing options, making it available to more age groups, while the sandpit and its features will be ideal for young children.

Preliminary work will start this Monday and, weather permitting, work will be finished late December.

The existing playground in that part of Riverside Park will remain open for as long as possible during construction.

The playground equipment south of the levee bank will be open and will be retained.