By PETER DOUGLAS
PLAY time for the ‘big kids’ is set to become more exciting at Lilydale Lake.
Responding to a letter from local student Caitlyn, 10, Yarra Ranges Shire and Victorian Government heeded the call, contributing more than $1 million for a complete overhaul of the play space.
Works will include demolition of the “tired and ageing” equipment, then replacement with new equipment that caters for a wider range of age-groups.
The existing play equipment for children with a disability will remain, with additional play facilities also included in the design.
Yarra Ranges Shire will contribute $400,000, with the Victorian Government adding more than $1 million from the Interface Growth Fund.
Attending the announcement were Monbulk MP James Merlino, Eastern Victoria Region MP Daniel Mulino, Yarra Ranges Shire chief executive officer Glenn Patterson, mayor Jason Callanan and councillors Terry Avery and Len Cox.
Mr Merlino said the value of playgrounds to a community could not be underestimated.
“Playgrounds are very close to my heart, I’ve got three kids,” he said.
“It’s amazing what an impact a playgrounds have in terms of being destinations for local communities.
“It’s important for kids, families, parents and the economy of communities.”
Mr Merlino acknowledged the work of Cr Len Cox, who was in office when the Lilydale Lake precinct was established.
Cr Cox said the playground was an important part in the life of his grandson Benjamin, who had a disability.
“The beauty about this new playground is there is going to be more disability swings than now,” Cr Cox said.
“We need that … 20 per cent of our population in the shire at any one time has got some sort of disability.”
Meanwhile, Caitlyn, a Lilydale Primary School student, braved the waiting media and dignitaries to deliver her speech to help launch the project.
“A couple of years ago, I came down to Lilydale Lake and I was really disappointed when I found there was nothing I wanted to play on,” she said.
“When I found out the council was doing something about it, I was really happy.
“I can’t wait to see and play on the new play equipment.”
Caitlyn’s letter to Cr Maria McCarthy in 2014, which sparked the initiative:
“Dear Cr (Maria) McCarthy, I went to the Lilydale Lake today and saw a spider web thing had been chopped down. I thought to myself there should be more big-kid play equipment at Lilydale Lake. The big slide has also been gone for some time now. It was never put back after someone burnt it down. Can the council please think about putting more play equipment at the Lilydale Lake for the big kids. Thank you.”
