Clovelly Mum Seeks Community Votes To Make A Difference

When we became mums, we started to live huge parts of our lives on playgrounds. They are often our second home base, a place where we can socialise, have a cup of warm coffee and an adult conversation, all while our kids play happily and hone their social, cognitive and physical skills. Why do I mention this? Because the amount of time that our kids spend on the playgrounds means that their safety and functionality is a prerequisite.

Today, over a billion children all over the world are growing up in cities. Well-designed playgrounds help them thrive and become healthier, more successful adults. Without a doubt: playgrounds are the heart of every community and an indispensable gathering space that benefits everyone.

Shabby Playground? Let’s Act As A Community To Make A Change

So what can we do when our local playground is in poor shape or a potential safety hazard? We need to get the facts together and act. Just like Skye, a Clovelly-based mum-of-4 who set up an application for an NSW Government grant to upgrade the local Clovelly Beach Playground. We can help her secure the votes the project needs to get the funding and a much-needed revamp.

“The Clovelly playground is unfenced and right on the Bondi-Coogee coastal walk. It is also close to Burrows Park, which is a popular off-lead dog park. The area gets a lot of foot traffic, including big dogs off-lead that run right through the middle of the playground, past little children. I have seen some little ones bowled over! – she briefed us in on the state of the local play zone.

Everyone who has ever been to the Clovelly beach knows that its playground is extremely small, unfenced, and it is the only Eastern Suburbs beach play area without a proper sunshade. It also has very limited equipment, better appropriate for the younger kids (0-3 years), as there are no swings, slides or climbing features.

Randwick City Council has already backed up Skye’s proposal for an upgrade, so what is needed now are the secured funds from the official NSW Government pool ($175,000). If the project is successful, the playground will be upgraded in the next 12 months. Only the projects with the most votes get funding!

How To Cast Your Vote?

All residents in the NSW electorate of Coogee can vote online. The application can be accessed through My Community Project website. Then at the top-right corner of the website, you need to select “Coogee electorate" and then pick a project "Make Clovelly Beach playground safe and fun!"

The details of Skye’s application can be viewed here.

Let's act together as a community and help this local mum make a difference. There is not that much time - the voting closes on 15 August! 

Some Playgrounds That We Love

• New Inclusive Playground Opens In Marsden Park
• New Train Themed Playground
• CBD To Get An Adventure Playground

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