Phase one of the Lismore community’s long-term vision for a transformed Wade Park has been realised, with Lismore Councillor Gianpiero Battista and State Member for Lismore The Hon Janelle Saffin MP on hand to officially open the park’s new accessible amenities block.

Wade Park is located on the corner of Military Road and Ann Street in East Lismore, and has long been a drawcard for young families, pet owners and nearby residents. 

Creation of this much-needed public asset was jointly funded by the Australian and NSW Governments, under the Public Amenities Resilience Upgrades program, at a cost of $520,000.

Bookended by two sheltered picnic areas, the elevated amenities block comprises ten unisex toilets, including ambulant and wheelchair accessible cubicles, and is now better located for access to the playground facilities.

The new space is a key element of the wider Wade Park Masterplan, which has been developed through extensive community consultation. The Masterplan was approved by Lismore City Councillors at the March 2024 monthly meeting.

The features for the Wade Park Master plan include:

• Improved Park Resilience through Environmental design
  • Improved stormwater drainage system throughout the park.
  • The creation of a new playful park infrastructure (small bridges/stepping stones etc) to be used as crossing points during periods of inundation. 
  • Ensuring all water management initiatives allow for water to flow/move and return to the existing creek and prevent long term pooling and potential stagnation.

• Improved and Inclusive Play
  • There will be a centrally located transport-themed accessible play structure with climbing and sliding elements. 
  • Diverse swinging with accessible seats and wheelchair-accessible carousel. 
  • A nature play area with in-ground (accessible) trampolines and accessible loop path to play pods. 
  • Explore native sensory planting, a water pump and swale feature, picnic settings, shade structures.
  • Included is a ‘Welcome’ entry structure and a 1200mm high secure fence.

• High-quality amenities and Recreation Spaces
  • Multi-use sports court with diverse line marking for sports and informal games.
  • A table tennis table, accessible picnic settings, bins and drinking fountains. 
  • Trees and groundcover will be native species and buffer planting will be included.
  • Accessible Toilet/Amenities will be joined with new connecting pathways.
  • The entry to the car park will be upgraded with new car parking and an open passive area - the design is arranged to minimise impact to existing trees.

• Improved Cycling (Learn to Ride)
  • New signage, bitumen surface and linemarking, a planted out roundabout, bicycle parking with a pedestrian crossing.

• Spaces for dogs
  • A dedicated small dog area (1350m2) as well as a big dog area (2625m2) with fenced separation. 
  • Dog agility equipment and drinking station for the dogs and seating, signage for the dogs best friends with a planted buffer between fence and path.

• Central Social Hub
  • Accessible picnic settings, accessible BBQs with a shelter, feature planting including trees, shrubs and groundcover planting will make this an enjoyable space for all.

• Flexible Open Space
  • Seating, a senior exercise space and outdoor gym equipment around an open space loop path.

• Adventure Play
  • A tall climbing structure with a slide and an embankment/slope. Inclined ropes will go with the existing viewing hut.

To complete the Wade Park Masterplan, council must secure more grant funding from the federal or state governments. This is being worked on.

Councillor Battista said: "It’s great to see this first piece of the Wade Park Masterplan completed. I know it’s something the community has been wanting for a long time and look forward to helping see it to fruition”.

Member for Lismore Janelle Saffin echoes the sentiment, describing the new amenities block as a significant upgrade designed with families and parkgoers in mind.

“It is so important to have toilet facilities near the play areas, so parents or grandparents don’t have to trek to the end of the park with all their children when just one wants to go to the toilet,” Ms Saffin said.

“With the new facilities this all-weather space is destined to be a popular meeting point for birthday parties, play dates and other social gatherings. I’m proud to open this for the community, on behalf of the NSW Government.”

The completed amenity is part of Lismore City Council’s broader effort to maintain and improve public amenities. Twenty-three public toilet upgrades are planned across the LGA, which are currently underway, ensuring access to clean and comfortable public amenities at local parks and rest stops for our residents and visitors.