Gated play space plea

A NOOSA mum is calling on community support to petition Noosa Council in a bid to create an innovative, gated toddler play space at Noosa Junction.
Noosa Junction Play was launched by mum-of-two Simone Chong, who said she was frustrated by the lack of age appropriate playgrounds in the Noosa area for children up to five years old.
Simone said Noosa’s little kids needed a nearby place to play and learn, a place that invited imagination, connection and openness that brought locals together and drew visitors from far afield.
“With the planned Coles expansion on the former Noosa Bowls Club site, it’s time for the community to have their say about what infrastructure and facilities for families they’d like to see at Noosa Junction,” she said.
As a Noosa Junction local, Simone said she would love to hear ideas that supported families and helped grow the local area.
“There are no playgrounds in Noosa suitable for a toddler age-group,” Simone said.
“Few are gated. Most have equipment containing large openings, drops, rungs and frames that little people cannot navigate. The Pirate Park at Noosaville is often inundated with older, stronger children who race and barrel around, making it unsafe for smaller kids.
“No play spaces in the area have ramps, making it difficult for parents or grandparents with prams or wheelchairs to access equipment, if they also have other young-aged mobile children with them.”
Simone said the benefits to the local community and visitors to the Noosa Junction would include a safe, gated place for adults with young children to meet and play, while being close to public transport and shops.
Simone’s vision for a play space would also include shade and rain cover for all-weather use, as well as scope to develop adjacent dining outlets so parents can dine out while their children play safely.
“We need your signature to help make this happen,” she said.
Anyone who would like to know more or share their ideas can visit www.noosajunctionplay.wordpress.com or email njplay@optusnet.com.au.