Site locked-in for Port Fairy play space and skate park

A new district level play space and skatepark for Port Fairy will be co-located at Port Fairy’s Russell Clark Reserve.

Councillors adopted the co-location in the northern area of the reserve, near the corner of James and Cambell Street at Tuesday’s Council meeting.

The decision follows public consultation on potential sites within the Southcombe Park precinct and Russell Clarke Reserve areas which occurred in person and online during July and through a mail out to Campbell Street area residents.

Whilst the general feedback was positive around the overall locations, there was overwhelming preference was for co-location of the playground and skatepark. The only site where this could occur is in the Russell Clarke Reserve.

Mayor Cr Karen Foster said now the site had been determined, the next steps would begin immediately.

“We’ve listened to the feedback and responded with a decision to co-locate both spaces,” Cr Foster said.

“Now the site is locked-in, we will begin the concept designs for both the play space and skate park immediately and then work through those designs with a community based advisory group.

“At this stage we are on track to commence site work mid next year.

“This is an exciting step forward as we know this has been a long time coming. But we have found the best location possible so now it’s time to get on and build these great new facilities.”

Cr Foster said Council staff had been engaging with Port Fairy Parkrun.

“We know that’s a really important community event and we don’t want to lose it, so we are working through a range of options with Parkrun organisers to meet the global park run requirements and to ensure it can continue within Russell Clarke Reserve,” she said.

“The skatepark and playground, combined with Parkrun will activate Russell Clarke Reserve and ensure it is even more well utilised public space.”

Cr Foster said Council was already investigating options to improve parking and traffic flow on Campbell Street and improve safety at the intersection with James Street.

The community-based advisory group will be made up of members of the original skate park advisory group and people who registered their interest in the project through the July public consultation process.