SUPER SLIDE ME
$5m Parklands expansion to create city’s biggest playground
A FIVE-storey slippery slide which doubles as a public artwork will be the centrepiece of a multimillion-dollar expansion of the Southport Broadwater Parklands.
The 18m-tall slide will have panoramic views of the Broadwater, Spit and south towards Surfers Paradise and will headline nearly $7 million being spent on council parks in the next financial year.
Mayor Tom Tate said the slide would become a popular spot for selfies.
A FIVE-storey slippery slide which doubles as a public artwork will be the centrepiece of a multimillion-dollar expansion of the Southport Broadwater Parklands.
The Gold Coast City Council will spend $5 million designing the final stage of the city’s biggest playground at the northern end of the parklands.
The 18m-tall slide will have panoramic views of the Broadwater, Spit and south towards Surfers Paradise and will headline nearly $7 million being spent on council parks in the next financial year.
Mayor Tom Tate said he expected the slide to become a popular selfie spot, luring local residents and tourists.
“It will be an active piece of artwork and will rouse the imagination of our high-energy youth while providing one of the best views of the Gold Coast,” he said.
“We want to ensure our Broadwater Parklands are a playground for people of all ages, even romantics and the hero feature will be the spiral tower.”
The city will spend $5 million in the next financial year on detailed design works for the parklands and its features.
Construction of the playground will begin in mid-2020.
Concept designs of the playground were inspired by the Broadwater and have marine life and ocean-themed features.
A new multi-function building, a ramp to the slide, water pump and sand play area will also be built.
On other park projects, Cr Tate said he was proposing $260,000 on creative designs for a new playground at Bundall’s Home of the Arts. It will replace the existing equipment.
“I want it to be lit up so that you will be able to see it on the other side of the river in Surfers Paradise,” he said.
“It will get parents to bring their kids over to have a great adventure.”
A $200,000 seniors garden will also be created at Broadbeach’s Cascade Gardens.
It will be wheelchair accessible and include elevated garden beds and interactive features such as a giant xylophone.
A further $1.4 million will be spent on replacing or upgrading playgrounds or equipment across 15 parks in the 2019-20 financial year.
Construction is expected to begin as early as next month on the Gold Coast City Parklands at Robina.
First revealed last year by the Bulletin, the first stage of works will include extensive tree planting, landscaping across 20ha, two adventure playgrounds and a large village green which will be able to host more than 5000 people for events.
Masterplanning is nearly complete for “The Greenheart” which will become the city’s largest open-space project, covering 225ha between Robina and Merrimac. Community consultation is expected to open later this year.