Page 1520 - Week 05 - Wednesday, 14 May 2014
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(2) calls on the ACT Government to:
(a) continue to invest in outdoor recreation areas such as off-leash dog parks, skate parks and community recreational irrigated parks; and
(b) investigate the best uses for and partnerships for ACT parks to ensure that they are providing the best utility for the community.
I rise today to move this motion that recognises our wonderful parks and recreational facilities and this government’s efforts to maintain their quality and accessibility in our community. In the face of one of the largest attacks on the role of the state that has been seen in 30 years that we saw in the federal budget last night, I think it is timely that we talk about public spaces such as parks and green spaces as a symbol of the positive role that government plays in our society.
The ACT is blessed with an abundance of neighbourhood parks, playgrounds and recreation spaces. Of these parks and facilities, Canberrans probably identify most closely with their local parks and playgrounds. Dotted through suburban Canberra, these small parks, ranging in size between a quarter of a hectare and two hectares, provide local families with access to fun and safe places to play and enjoy leisure time. What is great about most of these parks is how, in many parts of our community, the neighbourhood have adopted their local park as something they, as a community, can be responsible for.
The ACT government has been consistently upgrading these playgrounds, making sure that our playgrounds and parks remain safe and fun. In 2014 Territory and Municipal Services are upgrading parks across the ACT, including Corroboree park in Ainslie, Point Hut park in Gordon, Howell Place park in Gowrie, Boswell Street park in Florey, and Jacobs Street park in Evatt. These upgrades follow the parks that were upgraded in 2013, which included the wonderful John Knight memorial park and its much-loved snake house playground.
Another upgrade that I have been proud to see happen in western Belconnen has been the upgrade to Umbagong park in Latham. Umbagong park is a wonderful space that is an integral part of Belconnen’s open space system. Umbagong park is also home to ancient axe-grinding grooves which were discovered in the late 1970s and early 1980s. These grooves, which can be seen on both sides of Ginninderra Creek, provide Canberrans with a direct link to our Indigenous history.
I was pleased to be able to join Aunty Ruth Bell and her two sons during Heritage Week and go for a walk along Umbagong park trails. Unfortunately, on that day the axe-grinding grooves were underwater because we had had some rain recently. But having lived in Latham for 10 years, I have been a regular visitor to that area, and I know how important it is to our community. Indeed, I know a number of community groups who organise trips and tours through the park to educate children and members of the community about the history of the Ngunnawal in Belconnen.
Not only are we lucky to have so many great playgrounds and parks in our community, but we are also very lucky to have some world-class recreational facilities for use by
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