Focus Park Playground Selection & Improvements
Consultation has concluded
PROJECT UPDATE (OCTOBER 2022)
In 2021, Council invited the community to provide feedback in relation to a playground option proposed to improve the overall user experience within Focus Park. The project received 325 visitors to the page with 60 responses that has provided Council guidance in shaping this park, and more importantly future open space parks within our region.
An overview of the feedback informed Council of the following:
- General support for the park and proposed equipment
- Support for investment in the Douglas area
Council has successfully installed the playground infrastructure and the park is now ready for enjoyment. Photos of the park are available in the Images Tab.
Council thanks you for your contribution in developing and improving parks and open spaces within our community.
PROJECT UPDATE - NOVEMBER 2021
Thank you for your participation in the public consultation, held between 15 September and 15 October 2021, regarding the Focus Park playground renewal in Douglas.
Council’s design team have reviewed your feedback and as a result of this consultation, the proposed renewal of Focus Park playground will include:
- Address safety concerns around street access by relocating the playspace away from the busy Riverside Boulevard to adjacent the end of the tennis court;
- Install new play equipment with more play options for all age groups, including swings, two slides for toddlers and school children with a climbing challenge for older children;
- Locate the playspace adjacent the existing path to enable ease of access;
- Install rubber softfall in place of sand softfall;
- Install a new shade sail over the play equipment, augmented by a shade tree and existing tree shade;
- Use of low retaining walls for seating and play;
- A park name sign on Riverside Boulevard to identify this park;
- Rehabilitation of the old play area with irrigated turf for casual play and picnics.
It is acknowledged that the feedback also requested a number of additional items in the park, some of which are listed below. Please be aware that these items will not be included as part of this playground renewal project:
- Handball court
- Skate or scooter area/ramps
- Small soccer
- Basket court or multi-purpose facility
- Ninja Warrior Park
- Exercise equipment
- Fencing
- Toilets
- Car parking
It is advised that Focus Park is a local park which is designed to cater to the immediate surrounding residents, as an extension of their backyards. Consequently, some of the above listed items will not be considered in this park, but have been made available in the nearby district parks for this area. District parks are designed to cater to larger groups of people to travel to the park and to stay for longer periods of time and subsequently, have more infrastructure in place to accommodate. The district parks nearby to Focus Park, include Riverside Green in Douglas (18 Freshwater Drive) and Rossiter park in Aitkenvale (on the corner of Kimball & Kenealy St).
Council thanks you for your contribution in developing and improving parks and open spaces within our community. Stay tuned for further updates on this exciting shovel-ready project!
Townsville City Council is committed to providing parks, sporting fields, and recreational areas with facilities that promote and contribute to the health and welfare of our city.
Through this commitment, Council plans to renew and install new playground equipment based on community selection and improve the community facilities within Focus Park, Douglas.
This project is proudly funded by the Queensland Government's Works for Queensland initiative and delivered in partnership with Council.
The Council welcomes you to participate and Have Your Say on the Focus Park Improvements project including selecting what playground you think would enhance this quality open space environment. Your valuable feedback will contribute to shaping this park and guide Council on decision making and planning open space projects for our city's future.
Why is this project necessary?
- To improve recreational opportunities for residents and visitors to enjoy
- To promote child development through play
- To increase inclusive and all-abilities play spaces in Douglas
As part of this exciting project, Council plans to deliver:
- Relocate the existing play space
- Install new playground equipment based on community selection
- Install a new shade sail, seating, rubber softfall, and park sign
- Construct a new pathway connection
- Plant an additional shade tree and rejuvenate the existing garden beds
