Taylor Park Inclusive Play

Weddin Shire Council, in partnership with Touched by Olivia Foundation, are creating an inclusive play space at Taylor Park as part of the redevelopment of Taylor Park. Proudly funded by the NSW Government through their Stronger Country Communities Fund Round 5 and Crown Reserves Improvement Fund. It will become a key community hub, and form part of a national network of inclusive play spaces that Touched by Olivia Foundation has helped create called Livvi’s Place.

A Livvi’s Place is an inclusive playspace where we can play together. They are thriving family and community destinations where all are welcome, included and feel they belong. The Touched by Olivia Foundation works with Councils and local communities to envisage truly inclusive playspaces and make them a reality.

The Taylor Park redevelopment will be designed to meet best practice principles regarding inclusive play and plan for associated infrastructure such as path connections, parking, recreation facilities and accessible toilets.

The redevelopment will enhance the features of the existing park creating an engaging place for the community to come together to play, socialise, celebrate and undertake recreational activities.

Extensive community consultation was undertaken by Touched by Olivia Foundation right across the community via face-to-face meetings, and an online survey in May 2023. Seeking and listening to all voices of the community to gain an understanding of what the park is currently used for, by who and the future wants and needs. A summary of the feedback from this community consultation can be found here(PDF, 8MB).

The draft Masterplan went to Council in late 2023 and then was put on public exhibition for further community feedback. Four submissions were received, and these were tabled and addressed at the December 2023 Council meeting, along with the amended Masterplan reflecting any required adjustments.

The final Taylor Park Masterplan can be found here(PDF, 16MB).

Council have begun procuring various pieces of equipment and engaging with contractors, with works planned to start in September 2024.

The project has been broken into various stages. A project plan is being developed for the stages in which the work will commence. There are a number of upcoming community events held in Taylor Park such the Combined Church’s Carols in December and the Australia Day Ceremony in January that need to be taken into consideration and we are programming around so that work does not impede on these events. Stage 1 will be underway over the coming month and completed before the Christmas Carols event in December. Any works unable to be finished by this time will be in stage 2 which will take place after Australia Day 2025, to ensure we still have full use of the park for these events.

Notices for the Request for Quotes across the various aspects of the project will be advertised via the Grenfell Record, Councils website and Councils social media. We encourage anyone interested in being a part of this exciting project for the community to apply. We will require trades in concreting, landscaping, building, arborists, etc.

Council are also planning a number of ways in which the community can be involved in the project such as a community planting day. More details will be announced about this closer to the time.

Should you require any further information on this project please contact Claire McCann, Arts, Tourism & Events Coordinator for Weddin Shire Council on 02 6343 2855 or claire@weddin.nsw.gov.au