Illawarra residents can enjoy the new playground at the Cringila Hills Recreation Park while work continues on the eagerly awaited mountain bike trails.
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The playground off Lackawanna Street is designed for children of all abilities.
It includes a wheelchair-accessible 'fun glider', swings, a water play area, climbing net, obstacle course, musical instruments, a giant outdoor story book with Braille and a QR code to read in different languages, and a Braille map of the playground.
The playground's book is about Gudgad the Greedy Frog, a Dharawal Dreaming story.
Some keen mountain bike riders were seen putting the park's trails to the test on Saturday morning, but Wollongong City Council confirmed they were not yet officially open.
"I know there are some very enthusiastic bike riders who can't resist the opportunity to explore the Cringila Hills Bike Track this weekend," the council's general manager Greg Doyle said on Saturday.
"I'm not surprised, this new facility will be a major attraction for riders both within our community and further afield and it's only natural people will want to be among the first to explore them."
Mr Doyle asked anyone who used the tracks, especially ahead of their formal opening, to do so carefully and be mindful of other riders.
People are also urged to stay off the trails and stick to the asphalt paths during or immediately after rain, to prevent damage.
Mr Doyle said the Cringila track would continue to build Wollongong's reputation as a UCI Bike City.
Wollongong became the first city in the southern hemisphere to be recognised in this way by the world's cycling governing body earlier this year.
Mr Doyle said the trails would be opened to the public "in the not-too-distant future" and the council would provide updates soon.
It is expected all work on the recreation park will be finished in winter next year, weather permitting.
By then, the park will include 11.5 kilometres of mountain bike trails for everyone from beginner riders to advanced, as well as the accessible playground, an asphalt pump track, and a mountain bike skills playground to prepare novice riders for the main track.
The Cringila Hills Recreation Park has been in the works for several years.
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Natalie Croxon
Reporter at the Illawarra Mercury, mostly covering social affairs. Previously of the Bendigo Advertiser, Northern Daily Leader and Quirindi Advocate. Our Watch award winner.
Reporter at the Illawarra Mercury, mostly covering social affairs. Previously of the Bendigo Advertiser, Northern Daily Leader and Quirindi Advocate. Our Watch award winner.
