$ 41M SPEND ON PARKS IS NO CHILD’S PLAY

KIDS will soon have more slides and swings to play on, with a major investment set to boost parks across the Townsville region.

Townsville City Council announced yesterday it would spend $ 41 million upgrading parks and open spaces throughout the region.

Mayor Jenny Hill said 338 parks and three botanic gardens would benefit from the massive spend.

The council will spend $ 6 million on new parks and to upgrade existing facilities.

Ms Hill said parks from Woodstock and Annandale to Bushland Beach would be upgraded with funds from the 2018- 19 budget.

“Whether it’s Wordsworth Park or Peggy Banfield, there is a huge amount of work going on in our local parks,” she said.

“We’re also installing new playground equipment in Royal St Park, Corcoran Park and Roe St Park just to name a few.”

She said parks were more than open spaces, they were places for local families to connect and build a better community.

“That’s why my council is so focused on maintaining our parks to the highest standard and building the best new facilities right across our suburbs.”

Ms Hill council work crews looked after the equivalent of more than 3000 football fields right across the city.

“We have some of the best parks in Queensland,” she said.

“A further $ 700,000 will go towards the repair and maintenance of many of our community sporting facilities in all our Townsville suburbs.

She described the budget as being “back to basics and community focused”. Townsville parks receiving various upgrades include: Central Park Murray Sporting Complex Northshore Park Peggy Banfield Park Corcoran Park Sherriff Park Lou Litster Park Aplins Weir Rotary Park Roe St Park Cranbrook Park Royal St Park