Orange’s Edye Park will be transformed thanks to almost $50,000 in grant funding given to Glenroi’s Community Group (GCG).
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A new basketball court will be built, as well as barbecue facilities, a bubbler and new plantings.
It’s all part of a vision the GCG has to encourage more visitors to the park and encourage pride in the community.
GCG hopes the work will be complete by the end of the year.
“It’s the start of good things to come at Edye Park,” GCG president Melissa Hatton said.
“The basketball court is what kids have been using and we would love to see more (sport) like footy and gym equipment.”
It’s not just sport the community group want to encourage, but use by families and elderly people as well as landscaping will improve the park’s appearance.
“People can come with their blankets and have a picnic, it’s not just for the young but also the old,” Ms Hatton said.
“We would like to see footpaths come through connecting the community together. Children can use their bikes and scooters while elderly can walk easily on it.”
Orange City Council’s community recreation and culture director Scott Maunder said the upgrade would help encourage healthier lifestyles but also improve community engagement.
“Better facilities encourage more usage and better lifestyles,” Mr Maunder said.
“It will become a focal point for engagement for community to interact with each other.
“This has been driven by the community, so the community are more likely to look after it.”
Mr Maunder said because the upgrade was being driven by the community itself, it would have positive lasting benefits for neighbours and nearby residents, such as improved social cohesion and accessibility.
“If it’s there, you’ll use it and there’s an obvious need in this area,” he said.
“It builds on what we have at Glenroi Oval and what we’ve been working on for some time, which is active travel, walking and riding to school and work.”
The basketball court which has proven popular among children and teenagers will be moved closer to the road and street lights, taking it out of a low-lying area in the park.
Mr Maunder said it would mean a safer environment for users and landscaping would beautify the park. “It’s a safer environment by design,” he said.
The grant has been arranged between Housing Plus, Orange City Council and the NSW Department of Family and Community Services.
Declan Rurenga
Declan Rurenga was the editor of Griffith's Area News and Leeton's Irrigator until September 2023. Before landing at the Murrumbidgee Irrigation Area, he reported news in Junee, Wagga Wagga, Orange and Cootamundra.
Declan Rurenga was the editor of Griffith's Area News and Leeton's Irrigator until September 2023. Before landing at the Murrumbidgee Irrigation Area, he reported news in Junee, Wagga Wagga, Orange and Cootamundra.
