Cootamundra’s Pioneer Park has received a facelift with a fresh round of upgrades unveiled last week.
Member for Cootamundra Steph Cooke and newly appointed mayor, Gil Kelly, were on hand along with community stakeholders to take a look at the enhancements that include new bathrooms, a barbecue area, new chairs, fencing and lighting, as well as a bush regeneration area.
“It all started with an onsite meeting including stakeholders from the Friends of Pioneer Park Group, the Aboriginal Working Party Group, NSW Rural Fire Service, the Mountain Bike Club, the Bush Walking Club, Coota Signs, as well as council representatives,” Mayor Kelly said.
“All that planning and hard work has resulted in new restroom facilities, picnic facilities including a barbecue area, new chairs, new fencing and lighting, as well as creating a bush regeneration area with fresh native plantings,” he said.
“It’s great to see people using this park; its natural beauty and proximity to town will make it popular for visitors to enjoy. These new facilities will only enhance that experience and perhaps encourage more people to stay a little longer in our community.”
The new work completed at the popular park follows the upgrades that improved roads and signage last year.
The upgrades have resulted in improvement to the bush regeneration area by including native plantings and ground rejuvenation with directional signage also being erected along many of the walking and bike trails, with map signage, pathway clearing, and additional wood-burning barbecues and firepits installed as well.
Campers will also be able to enjoy the park as it has officially been designated as an RV-friendly camping area.
Member for Cootamundra Steph Cooke said the new facilities at Pioneer Park were made possible thanks to a $222,700 investment awarded to the Cootamundra-Gundagai Regional Council by the NSW and Federal governments.
“The Cootamundra-Gundagai Regional Council has also been able to utilise $20,500 in Crown Reserves Improvement Fund grants allocated by the previous NSW government, to go towards controlling weeds in the park and on the popular bike track,” Ms Cooke said.
“The work that has been undertaken means this is the perfect spot for visitors and families to come and spend time together while enjoying the fresh air and great outdoors.
“Congratulations to all involved in creating and maintaining this wonderful asset. As the town and region continue to grow, it’s important that we have the facilities in place to help cater for that growth, and that allow us all to take full advantage of living in one of the best regions in the entire state.”
Original Article published by Jarryd Rowley on Region Riverina.