Hold on to your pirate hats, and grab your children’s favourite wheels, because this park is going to be amazing! It began back in 2016 when Lake Macquarie Council commenced consultation with our community. From here, our input has guided the transformation of this beautiful stretch of park into an exciting new recreational zone.
Fondly referred to as Croudace Bay Park by the locals, Thomas H Halton Park is one of the largest in Lake Macquarie. Currently, you’ll find a basic skate park, wide shared path, a small playground, nature fort, and run down amenities. There’s plenty of open spaces for a family picnic and BBQ facilities for public use. Undercover areas are located near the car park and down by the foreshore. For a while now, we’ve watched many upgrades to our playgrounds around Lake Macquarie, however, this one always got missed, and for good reason. Thomas H Halton Park is about to transform into a children’s wonderland, and we couldn’t be more excited.
What’s next for Thomas Halton Park?
Did someone say ‘Coffee’? Everything you could think of will be included in the new design while also maintaining open spaces, wide paths, and the gorgeous natural environment. The master plan upgrades all the facilities and expands on the existing areas to deliver a brilliant new family destination for Lake Macquarie.
Upgraded playground
Calling all pirates, your ship’s about to set sail from Shipwreck Cove! The kids are going to love the nautical-themed pirate ship and play equipment. The existing playground & fort area will be demolished and then expanded around the existing car park. This area will be fully fenced and is proposed to include:
- Shipwreck Cove
- Desert Island Playground for the little ones
- Adventure Paths with sensory equipment
- Treehouse which includes scamper nets and slips down to lower levels
- Swings & Round About play area, including giant swings and all-inclusive carousels
- The Hang Out climbing area, with climbing nets, towers, and rock climbing obstacles
- Open lawn spaces, BBQ & picnic areas within the playground
Everyone can play
Lake Macquarie Council was successful in securing a $200k grant from the government. The ‘Everyone Can Play’ government initiative will ensure the playground is all-inclusive of age, ability, and cultural background. An all-accessible carousel, giant nest swing, sensory area, quiet spaces, and a water play area are some of the inclusions in the master plan.
Cafe (proposed) & new amenities building
Whether you’re at the park in the morning or late afternoon, having the right facilities on location is essential, especially for little kids. This park has lacked clean toilets for way too long, so I can tell you that this parent is very happy about the upgrade. There are new amenities also planned for the opposite end of the park, near the boat ramp car park. A sneaky coffee and bite to eat while enjoying the new park won’t go astray either. Both will be located just outside the fenced playground, so other park visitors can access them without entering the playground.
If the cafe goes ahead, it’s likely to now be provided by a van or commercial venture.
Cyclists learning circuit & disc golf course (both still proposed)
I love how the design caters to our budding riders who may not have mastered their new wheels yet. The cyclist learners’ track will include obstacles and alternative routes through a naturally shaped circuit. This area is separate from the playground, however, it’s also fenced for safety and will be located on the opposite side of the existing car park.
Also included in the master plan is an area for disc golf. If you’re not sure what disc golf is, don’t worry, neither was I. After some research I’ve learned that it’s a flying disc sport, like what we call a Frisbee®. So a player will throw the disc at a target, like an elevated metal basket, with the aim of getting it in. Just like hitting a golf ball up the course and getting it in a hole. Similar rules but different equipment.
Both will be considered if funding allows.
Skate, BMX & scooter park
The existing skate park will be expanded to include a flow and plaza section with a circuit loop. Earlier this year, Lake Macquarie council sought feedback for 3 new proposed skate park designs, and this was one of the locations. The new design will be sectioned with garden areas and will include new paths around the car park to link back to the cyclists learning circuit and playground area.
Fenced dog exercise area
Originally planned for the boat ramp end, the proposed fenced dog area has now been moved down towards the Valentine oval. As you enter the park from Valentine on the righthand side, is an opened space. This is the site for the new exercise area. There will still be an unfenced dog exercise area, however, the fenced area will provide a new environment for the dogs to safely socialise off-leash.
Outdoor fitness equipment & exercise circuit
Near the boat ramp car park will be a new outdoor fitness equipment station, plus the council will look at improving the existing circuit throughout the park. These fitness stations are very popular down at Warners Bay, although my kids insist they are designed for play. The improvement of the lower path, which runs alongside the lake, will be very welcomed. It’s becoming quite a trip hazard and hard for the kids to negotiate on small bikes.
When will construction start?
We spoke to Paul from the council yesterday (11/8/20) and a call-out for tenders will begin in September. Once construction has been secured later this year, it’s likely the trucks will move into Croudace Bay Park early 2021 to begin the transformation. Both car parks at either end are also proposed to receive extensions and upgrades. The car park entry will receive a makeover as well to cater for the increased volume of visitors.
We are extremely excited about this new addition to Lake Macquarie, and what it offers families in our community. Visit the Lake Macquarie Council website to download the master plan: Thomas H Halton park upgrade
References:
Lake Macquarie council: Thomas H Halton park upgrade {Accessed 11/8/20}
Newcastle Star: New inclusive playground for Croudace Bay {Accessed 11/8/20}
