General News
6 June, 2023
New jewel of the riverside
Horsham's new Nature and Water Play Park - the crowning jewel in the long-awaited rejuvenation of the Wimmera riverside - is just days away from its official opening. The fences have remained in place for weeks as contractors lay down the finishing...
Horsham's new Nature and Water Play Park - the crowning jewel in the long-awaited rejuvenation of the Wimmera riverside - is just days away from its official opening.
The fences have remained in place for weeks as contractors lay down the finishing touches to the park, at the riverfront precinct behind Horsham Riverside Caravan Park.
Attractions include a large barbecue area, gently flowing watercourse, manually operated hand pumps, and systems of adjustable dams and weirs, spray heads and pop jets - suited to operation by children of all ages.
It also includes a few play elements that can be used year-round without water flow, including small boulders for climbing, logs for balancing, stones for jumping along, and sand pits. Most resemble giant sea creatures.
It is not a huge park with colourful plastic slides and grand artificial features, but rather an area for recreation and relaxation, allowing families and friends to socialise while the children play.
Built at a cost of $2.45 million - fully funded by the state and federal governments - Horsham Rural City Council says the park reflects the community's wishes for the Wimmera River's natural beauty to be retained.
Kate Polack, mother of Jude, 4, said it was a creative, exciting and welcoming place which would be a great venue for kids to burn off their excess energy and explore the many playground items.
"I can't wait for the hot weather to come so we can try out the water features," Mrs Polack said. "This will be a much-visited spot for kids, parents - and people of all ages."
Opening of the park - the second funded stage of the Riverfront Activation Project - is about three months overdue.
The contractor has been working through the last of the issues ahead of the official opening scheduled for Tuesday, to be attended by state and federal politicians.
The park is free, and designed to be accessible for all ages and capabilities all year long.