This $22-million foreshore revitalisation is designed to create a link between the beach, the new central park and the CBD for the highly engaged Kingscliff community.
The project conducted community consultation at several points, to make a place that locals can call their own.
“Everyone who has worked on this project has done an outstanding job and I know the community is excited to take ownership of their new park,” said Mayor of Tweed Shire, Councillor Katie Milne.
Landscape Architect Ian Bentley led the design for Council, he says, “Before Rowan Robinson Park there wasn’t a place in Kingscliff for large gatherings, to watch bands, to accommodate thirty kids at a birthday party or a place to hang out and watch others pass by. With its completion the community now have that heart, that central location that connects coffee shops and beach users, walkers and birthday party goers.”
The new central foreshore park, Rowan Robinson Park, is named in honour of a popular Kingscliff High School student and local Surf Life Saver who lost his life serving in Afghanistan in June 2011.
Image: Stone Style.
The community was invited to describe what they love about Kingscliff, with four quotes to appear on engraved pavers.
“Kingscliff Central Park will be a social hub for the village and the carved pavers will be another way to add some community heart and soul to the space,” Project Manager Stewart Brawley said.
“They’re little things to try to break it up and bring a bit of ownership into the site.”
Almost 400 voters picked the following from a shortlist of 14, by Yolan Barker, Annette VanZetten, Ashley Raso and Renee Shaw.
- Get your Vitamin Sea here.
- Stay a while, leave with a smile.
- Salty toes and sand in my clothes – I know I’m home – in Kingscliff.
- From beach to creek and village too, Kingscliff aims to welcome you.
A mosaic wall was decorated with tiles created by Kingscliff Primary School, and Murwillumbah artist Tony Lawrence painted a mural on the table tennis table.
As part of Local Government Week, Project Manger Stewart Brawley ran three booked-out behind-the scenes tours during construction, to familiarise the community with their new space.
Street Furniture Australia is proud to have contributed to this fantastic community project with moveable Forum Seats, Sun Lounges for basking, Cafe Tables, Park Seats and family-friendly Park Settings, as well as Semi Hoop Bicycle Parking. At least six of the Park Settings are wheelchair accessible.
Bespoke seats were also commissioned by Tweed Shire Council, some freestanding, some mounted on concrete plinths and on steps, to sit back and watch the ocean.
Tweed Shire Council received the Park of the Year Award for Rowan Robinson Park, at the Parks and Leisure Association NSW and ACT 2019 awards.
