Cootamundra-Gundagai Regional Council (CGRC), in partnership with Variety – the Children’s Charity, is creating an inclusive playspace at Cootamundra’s Albert Park.
Cootamundra-Gundagai Regional Council have formalised a partnership that will see the construction of a world class inclusive playspace in the park. This inclusive playspace will be designed to meet best practice principles regarding inclusive play and plan for associated infrastructure such as path connections and accessible toilets.
Through clever design and engineering, the new facility will give people of all abilities a fun and challenging place to play side-by-side.
CGRC mayor Cr Abb McAlister said the playspace will be a unique place where people of all ages and abilities will be able to play together.
“It will become a key community hub, and form part of a national network of inclusive play spaces that Variety has helped create,” Cr McAlister said.
The area which will be known as Variety Livvi’s Place, Albert Park and will give children and families of all abilities a place to play and provide the community with a space to gather and connect.
The playspace will have a positive impact on the lives of children and their families within our region, as well as the wider extended community. The playspace will also meet council’s vision in their Disability and Inclusion Plan and wider strategic plan objectives, with aspirations to create an inclusive, diverse, healthy and socially connected community.
Local residents will be asked to get involved in shaping the design of the playspace.
Residents are invited to come along to a fun afternoon on Wednesday 23 September at 7pm and Thursday 24 September at 9.30am to talk to key stakeholders about what is needed to make this new facility fun, accessible and inclusive for the community.
Variety has successfully partnered with other local governments to deliver similar playspaces in Bankstown and Taree.
These facilities are thriving family destinations where all children are welcome and included. Variety will also support the development of a fundraising initiative for the project, working with local businesses and individuals to financially support the inclusive playspace in reaching its full potential.
Variety joined forces with the Touched by Olivia Foundation in 2018 to continue working with communities all across Australia to build inclusive playspaces known as ‘’Variety Livvi’s Place”. Working with these partners to deliver the project provides an opportunity to create a truly inclusive playspace in the heart of Cootamundra that will engage all children and their families and carers in the act of play.
“At Variety we believe that all kids deserve the opportunity to play. Variety Livvi’s Place Albert Park will be a world class inclusive playspace where everyone is included, valued and feels they belong.” said Variety – the Children’s Charity Inclusive Play Manager, Kim Becherand.
“All kids should be able to experience the joy and benefits of playing together, and Variety is proud to partner with forward thinking councils like Cootamundra-Gundagai Regional Council on this very important project for the Cootamundra community.” Ms Becherand added.
For the latest updates please visit the project page here
We’d love to grow our Friends of Variety Livvi’s Place Cootamundra Facebook group, to join please click here
