Work on a new playground at Reddall Reserve will resume on Monday, after the discovery of potentially culturally significant artefacts at the site halted its progress for over a year.
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The play space is designed to be accessible for people of all ages and abilities, with a wide variety of features.
These include an eight metre-high tower with a rope bridge leading to a turret, an accessible ramp to the tower's first level, slides, swings, a flying fox with an accessible seat, a big cantilever swing, an inclusive carousel, sensory panels, in-ground trampolines and more.
The design of the playground is based on a local story called The Red Lamp by John Dorl, which tells of a young boy playing a prank on people prawning in Lake Illawarra.
Groundworks on the project began in mid-September 2020, but were paused soon after when shell deposits were discovered.
It was believed they could have had cultural significance as Aboriginal artefacts, and required an archaeological investigation.
But after extensive cultural and heritage studies, it was determined the shell deposits were natural and not an Aboriginal midden.
It is expected the play space will be finished in August.
The playground is one of the main features of Shellharbour City Council's Reddall Reserve Master Plan, which also includes renewal of the promenade and a revamp of the kiosk.
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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.
