A suite of new parks, sports precincts, playgrounds, outdoor gyms and skate parks are being unveiled across Brisbane after Council powered on with work through the coronavirus shutdown to roll them out to residents starting this weekend.

Lord Mayor Adrian Schrinner officially opened the Davies Park redevelopment today after more than five months of work on the flood prone precinct in West End.

The park is one of a range of outdoor facilities, including 11 new playgrounds, five new outdoor gyms and upgraded sports precincts that will provide more opportunities for residents to get outside and be active and healthy once State Government restrictions relax at midnight on Friday May 15.

“I know a lot of locals are looking forward to being able to get back outside and enjoy all our parks have to offer and I’m excited some new equipment will be there for people of all ages to use,” Cr Schrinner said.

“Council has been busy delivering projects throughout the coronavirus pandemic, as it was so important to keep people employed and the economy moving throughout this crisis.

“These new facilities are spread right across Brisbane’s suburbs and includes new playgrounds in Bald Hills, Sinnamon Park and Moorooka as well as upgrades to sports fields and precincts at Nundah and West End.

“The $2.9 million upgrade completed at Davies Park, West End, includes a new multi-use games area with skate facilities and a brand-new multi-use court while a new volleyball court in Boyd Park at Nundah will be open for the first time this weekend.”

Cr Schrinner said with more people anticipated to start moving around Brisbane in light of the easing restrictions, it was important residents adhered to the safe social distancing measures in place to help protect the community, especially while staying active and healthy.

“Brisbane has more than 2100 parks and greenspaces, including more than 270 with barbecues and 150 with outdoor gyms to there’s plenty of opportunities to find somewhere to picnic, play and exercise.
“Work is already underway to clean more than 1000 playgrounds and outdoor gyms across the city in preparation for re-opening on Saturday.

“As we start to open more and more of our public facilities, please keep practicing safe social distancing and good hand hygiene in shared spaces – Brisbane’s community has done such a great job keeping each other safe, so let’s keep it up.

“We will continue to be guided by the Federal Government and Queensland Health and are following their expert health advice to help minimise the transmission of coronavirus.”

“As further restrictions lift and projects are completed, I look forward to opening the new Sunnybank synthetic sports field, Bill Brown Sports Park and Wakerley District Sports Park for use in the near future.

Council continues to offer a digital neighbourhood of activities, resources and online Council experiences on its website, even as facilities start to reopen, giving residents more to see and do at home if they choose.

As updates are available, they will be included on Council’s website. For more information visit www.brisbane.qld.gov.au or phone Council on (07) 3403 8888.

NEW PLAYGOUNDS, OUTDOOR GYMS AND SPORTS PRECINCTS:
Playgrounds:
Ø Canterbury Park, Bald Hills
Ø Kanumbra Street Park, Coorparoo
Ø Settlers Park, Sinnamon Park
Ø Alcheringa Park, Robertson
Ø Verdelho Street Park, Eight Mile Plains
Ø Alexander Park, Moorooka
Ø Rowlinson Park, Yeronga
Ø Turley Street Park, Fairfield
Ø Sherwood Arboretum, Sherwood
Ø Beryl Roberts Park, Coopers Plains
Ø Ed Kuepper Park, Oxley
Outdoor gyms:
Ø Lacey Road Park, Carseldine
Ø Patrea Street Park, Nudgee
Ø Canterbury Park, Bald Hills
Ø Waterfront Park, Newstead
Ø Bradbury Park, Chermside
Sports fields, courts precincts:
Ø Boyd Park, Nundah
Ø Davies Park, West End
Ø Sunnybank Synthetic Sports Field (to open in the coming months as State Government restrictions continue to ease)
Ø Wakerley District Sports Park (finishing touches being completed and to open in the coming months as State Government restrictions continue to ease)
Ø Bill Brown Reserve (finishing touches being completed and to open in the coming months as State Government restrictions continue to ease)

COUNCIL FACILITIES RE-OPENING THIS WEEKEND
Ø Barbecues, playgrounds, outdoor gyms.
Ø BMX Tracks and Skate Parks.
Ø Basketball and tennis courts.
Ø Southbank aquatic facilities (Southbank Lagoon closed for essential maintenance until July 1)
Facilities (10 Person Limits):
Ø Libraries
Ø Botanic Gardens enclosed spaces
Ø Cemeteries and Crematorium front counters
Ø Community Halls (no contact activities)