The new Paradise Recreation Plaza has been enthusiastically welcomed by families, BMX riders, skaters and community members since its opening in January this year.
Campbelltown City Council has been praised for successfully transforming what was once an undesirable skate park suitable for a limited number of residents, into a thriving multi-use recreation plaza for the entire community to enjoy.
The Paradise Recreation Plaza was redeveloped by the Campelltown City Council in 2023 with an official opening ceremony held in January 2024. The redevelopment cost $3.89m with $1.52m being contributed by the South Australian Government’s Planning and Development Fund Open Space Grant program.
The facility caters for all kinds of community groups and individuals, providing spaces for everything from skating, BMX, rollerskating and scootering to ninja adventure, parkour, basketball, netball, four square and table tennis.
Families can also enjoy a brand-new playground, picnic and barbecue areas, and places to relax and read.
Set against the backdrop of giant gum trees, the space is ideal for people of all ages and skill levels who like to be active, those who love getting about on wheels, and those who like to watch.
Campbelltown City Council Economic Development team leader Emily Moskwa said close consultation with the community was critical to ensure the Paradise Recreation Centre would meet the needs of a diverse community groups.
“Formal community consultation began in 2018 with a master plan for the new facility being endorsed by council in late 2020,” Emily said.
“The consultation showed high levels of support for having a separate bike facility in addition to the skate park area (with skaters and riders were previously required to share the same space),” said Emily.
“Parkour was also a very popular element from the consultation, and fits in with council’s vision for a multi-activity recreational park that provides feelings of freedom, learning and risk-taking, that the whole community can enjoy.”
Emily explained the parkour and ninja adventure courses were proposed and supported by the community not only because they are fun, but they encourage climbing, jumping, swinging, running, balancing and avoiding obstacles.
“This encourages young peole to challenge their physical limits,” said Emily.
“These areas, as well as the skate and bike zones, present interactions that require negotiation and cooperation with peers. They help children (and adults!) learn to assess risks, understand the consequences of their actions, solve problems, and foster independence.”
The council is now installing two additional toilets, with one being an accessible toilet with adult change and hoist. This will bring the total number of toilets to three.
They are also exploring installing Wi-Fi, which would help younger visitors to be contactable by their parents and guardians with ease.
Beyond that, work will begin with the South Australian Parkour Association who will be delivering training workshops on-site (expected around April onwards), and council will also be installing stickers with QR codes linking to videos with parkour demonstrations of various skills to help people learn more about parkour.
Other plans may involve exploring scooter workshops and the possibility of hosting an Australian Scooter Association qualifier event, with the potential for food trucks to set up onsite during these busy periods.
