proposed upgrades to binalong park – engagement summary report · 2020-01-30 · proposed...

Proposed Upgrades to Binalong Park – Engagement Summary Report

Engagement Summary Report

January 2020

Proposed Upgrades to Binalong Park – Engagement Summary Report | January 2020

Proposed Upgrades to Binalong Park – Engagement Summary Report | January 2020

CONTENTS

1. Introduction .............................................................................. 1

2. Engagement Methodology and Objectives .............................. 1

3. Summary of Engagement Feedback ....................................... 2

4. Stakeholder Interview Summary ............................................ 13

5. Next Steps ............................................................................. 14

6. Appendix 1 ‘Our Say’ data file ............................................... 15

Proposed Upgrades to Binalong Park – Engagement Summary Report | January 2020 1

1. Introduction

City of Parramatta Council (Council) has made a commitment to the community to improve parks and recreational facilities across the local government area. The main driver for this project was the identification of the park as a ‘Ward Priority’ by Councillors in the Delivery Program 2018-2021, Operational Plan and Budget 2019-2020.

To deliver on the commitment Council is currently looking at parks across the Toongabbie area to decide on the type of improvements that would benefit the community the most, subject to the level of community support gained through a program of engagement and information.

Binalong Park is one of the parks being considered for improvement, along with Reynolds Park and Gallery Gardens. Binalong Park is popular with local children, sporting groups and other users; it is centrally located in the heart of old Toongabbie. A water park will augment the range of facilities available in the area, particularly for young children and families. Council is also investigating the possibility of constructing community meeting rooms with support from the NSW Government.

During December 2019, Council sought feedback from the community on a proposal to introduce a water play area to the park, and on improvements to other facilities, including buildings. The findings from the engagement will provide Council with an understanding of the level of community support for the proposal, as well as help to inform its decision on the type of water play features and other upgrades.

The engagement program consisted of:

a survey hosted on Council’s website on the ‘Parramatta Our Say’ engagement portal

a pop-up consultation session at Binalong Park

stakeholder interviews.

The engagement activities were delivered by Council and engagement consultant, KJA. This report summarises the feedback gathered throughout the engagement program.

2. Engagement Methodology and Objectives

Engagement Objectives

The levels of participation for the engagement program (based on the IAP2 Spectrum) were ‘Inform’ and ‘Consult’. The table below outlines the objectives of the program for each engagement level.

Engagement Level Objectives

Inform Communicate that City of Parramatta Council is considering the introduction of a water play facility and other upgrades at Binalong Park, and is seeking input from the community.

Consult Understand whether the local residents and users of Binalong Park are supportive of the introduction of a water play facility at Binalong Park.

Identify other upgrades for the park.


Engagement Activity

Engagement Activity Where Date and Time

Pop-up session Binalong Park, Toongabbie Wednesday 11 December 2019

2.00pm-4.00pm

Survey Online Monday 9 December 2019 –

Sunday 5 January 2020

Stakeholder interviews Conducted via phone Wednesday 18 December 2019

Wednesday 8 January 2020

3. Summary of Engagement Feedback

Who was engaged?

Engagement

event

Number of

people engaged

Summary of who was engaged

Pop-up session 30 Approximately 30 people attended the pop-up session. The

pop-up session was held at school pick up time, in the car

park next to Toongabbie Public School, which is also adjacent

to the area where the water play area is proposed to be. Not

surprisingly, most people who attended the pop-up were

parents, however several members of sporting groups, as well

as school staff, also attended and shared their thoughts on the

proposal.

Online survey 164 A total of 164 online surveys were completed on Council’s

‘Parramatta Our Say’ engagement portal. Responses were

received across all age categories, however most

respondents were between the ages of 30-39. Responses

were also received from members of the community who

identified as being Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander (6%), a

person living with a disability (3.8%), a young person (8.3%),

and/or a person who speaks a language other than English

(15%).

Stakeholder

interviews

2 Eleven sporting groups who use Binalong Park in addition to

the Binalong Park Committee were invited via email to take

part in an interview conducted over the phone. Two

representatives (Starlights Netball Club and Binalong Park

Committee) requested an interview. The following sporting

clubs and groups were invited:

Pendle Hill Football Club


Pendle Hill Cricket Club/ Parramatta District Cricket Association

Starlights Netball Club

Pendle Hill Netball Club

Phoenix Softball Club

Mark Cowper Tennis

Wentworthville PSSA

Toongabbie PS

Pendle Hill HS

Regular tennis hirers

Casual tennis hirers

Quick statistics

Frequency of visits to Binalong Park

o 55.8% of survey respondents visit Binalong Park weekly

o 22.7% of survey respondents visit Binalong Park monthly

o 13.5% of survey respondents visit Binalong Park daily

o 4.9% of survey respondents visit Binalong Park yearly

o 3% of survey respondents have never visited Binalong Park.

Mode of travel

o 72% of survey respondents have walked to Binalong Park

o 58.4% of survey respondents have driven to Binalong Park

o 20.1% of survey respondents have ridden a bike to Binalong Park

o 2% of survey respondents have caught a bus to Binalong Park.

Park facilities used while at Binalong Park

o 81.2% of survey respondents used the playground

o 57.1% of survey respondents used the soccer fields

o 29.9% of survey respondents used the netball or basketball courts

o 22% of survey respondents used the picnic facilities

o 17.5% of survey responses used the cricket pitch

o 17.5% of survey respondents used the tennis courts

o 5.2% of survey respondents used the tennis amenities building.


What we heard

Over 68% of survey respondents had recently

visited a park in the City of Parramatta which

had a water play facility. The water play

facility was the reason most of these

respondents (71%) visited those parks.

Over 76% of survey respondents considered

the loss of approximately 10 car parking

spaces to provide for a water play facility was

an appropriate trade off.

We heard that over 85%

of survey respondents

were supportive of a

water play facility at

Binalong Park

Water play areas in the Parramatta LGA: James Ruse Reserve, Ollie Webb Reserve Water Playground, Blaxland Riverside Park, Nurragingy Reserve Water Park, Cathy Freeman Park, Philip Ruddock Water Playground, and Domain Creek Water Playground.

James Ruse Reserve in Parramatta


Favourite water play features Respondents reported enjoying a wide variety of water play features when they visit parks with water play facilities. Popular features among respondents include:

Water slides

Fountains

Water spouts

Water pumps and flows

Tipping buckets

Water guns

Water jets

Toddler area

Sprinklers

‘Mushroom’ fountains

Shallow pools

Misters

Interactive water features

Vision for look and feel Respondents were asked to describe what they would like a future water play facility at Binalong Park to look and feel like. A variety of responses were received. Blaxland Riverside Park, Ollie Webb Reserve, Phillip Ruddock Park, James Ruse Reserve, Dundas Reserve, Blacktown Showground, and Nurragingy Reserve were all cited by some as examples of the type of water play facilities they would like to see at Binalong Park. Many respondents used ‘fun’, ‘interactive’, ‘fun for all ages’, ‘colourful’, ‘safe’ and ‘shady’ when responding to this question. Many respondents suggested that water play features should come in an array of sizes and be separated to accommodate different ages and abilities. A recurring theme was a request that any water play facility not be wasteful of water, and should use recycled water if at all possible. Many respondents also suggested the water play facility should be themed, with jungle theme, robot theme, Indigenous theme and Toongabbie Creek theme being among the suggestions. Some verbatim responses are provided below: Look and feel:

“It would be great to see a farm theme, as Parra was Australia’s first farm location”

“Stay and Play, an area that is interactive for kids of all ages, shaded for protection from the sun

and toileting facilities open so everyone can stay and play for longer”

“Similar to Ollie Webb”

“Call back to the local Aboriginal culture, eels, platypus, Toongabbie Creek”

“Exciting and modern”

“Inviting and child friendly”

“For it to be safe and for it to use recycled water”

“Colourful, cultural and magical”

Ollie Webb Reserve in Parramatta


“Fun for all ages”

“Safe, fun brightly coloured family spot”

“Natural environmental look”

“Reflect the history of the Indigenous peoples of the area

“A fun and friendly way to bring the community together outside technology

“Picnic area feel. Somewhere you can watch the kids play in the water area while you sit in the rug

and relax”

“Maybe a Toongabbie Creek theme”

Features to include:

“Sand pits and fountains”

“Well shaded – natural environmental look”

“Lots of different water equipment play areas so much fun to tire out kiddies but plenty of room for

the parents to be in arms reach still”

“Shade and seating”

“Spacious water play area suitable for a range of ages”

“Pet friendly”

“A shady water park perfect for those stinking hot days, where I can wear the kids out before bed!”

“Natural looking, not just soft-fall surfaces that get very hot”

“The only thing that matters to me is that it’s not a waste of water (is recycled water used)”

“Two separate but connected zones for older children (dump buckets, circular run through) and

younger children (low level fountains and mushrooms) covered in a shade cloth with nearby

steps/seats for parents. Possibly with a fence between the road and the play area”

Several respondents suggested a Toongabbie Creek theme


Suggestions for further upgrades

Respondents were asked to provide suggestions for Council to consider for future upgrades to Binalong Park. The top 10 responses have been summarised below:

Top 10 responses Summary

1. Shade and shelter Many respondents wanted to see better provision of shade and shelter.

Shade was mentioned in relation to the swing set in the playground,

seating areas, and for spectators of sporting games. Many respondents

wanted shade cover for the proposed water play facility, including

shaded seating for parents and guardians. Some respondents wanted

to see more trees for shade, while other others wanted new shade

cloths/sails.

Example verbatim comments:

“More tree planting for shade around the boundary of the park

would be more beneficial than a water park”

“Shade cloths that include coverage for parent seats as they look

after kids in the water play area would be great”

“A shade sail should go over the swing set that is there. It is so hot

to push kids on the swings in summer”

“Lots of shade for parents to sit close to the water feature to

supervise children – there is no point having all the seating far

away where you can’t see your children or no shade forcing

parents to sit in the hot sun to supervise”

“More shade areas would be greatly appreciated when watching

the cricket, but is also needed against the sun blinding you during

the morning soccer games”

2. Toilet facilities

Many respondents cited new and/or improved toilet facilities being

something they want to see in future upgrades at Binalong Park.

This includes toilets that are clean and safe, and have disabled

access. Some respondents would like the toilet facilities to be

open 24/7, while others only want the toilet facilities to be open

during daylight hours.


“Better and safer bathroom facilities”

“Toilets are great but not always open which can be tricky. Would

be great to know exactly when there are open so we can plan our

visit”

“Upgrade the tennis toilet block”

“Toilets including disability access”

“An amenities block that is accessible during daylight hours would

be more beneficial to this site due to the use of the oval on

Sundays and afternoons when the sports clubs are not there. The

area around the water tanks is used as a toilet”


“Disabled toilets”

“Bathrooms/toilets not associated with the sporting teams”

“Toilets open all the time”

3. Adult exercise

equipment

Many respondents cited that adult exercise equipment is something

they want to see in future upgrades at Binalong Park, noting that the

equipment would be used regularly, including at night. One respondent

wanted equipment similar to that at Crestwood Reserve in Baulkham

Hills, while another enjoyed the equipment opposite the air base in

Richmond.


“Some exercise stations around the park. We get a lot of people

exercising of a night during winter and also in the afternoons in

summer. The park is a hub of activity and only getting busier! I

believe a walking path around the field and some exercise stations

at certain intervals would make this park one of the best utilised in

Sydney”

“Consider including fitness equipment around the park in the

revamp. This park is utilised by a lot of people for exercise and this

would be another way for adults in the area to engage with the

park”

“Free exercise equipment for parents too”

“We would like to have exercise equipment for adults I have visited

the park opposite the air base at Richmond, and [I] used them”

“I believe exercise stations around the park would be a great

feature, parents and young ones alone could keep fit and healthy”

4. Parking Many respondents want improved car parking facilities in future

upgrades at Binalong Park. Many want the second car park open at all

times, while others want larger car spaces for parents with prams, and

more spots for disabled access. Other respondents don’t want the loss

of 10 car parking spaces for the water play area, citing that parking is

already a challenge for park visitors.


“More parking or open the second car park so there is room for

more cars”

“Opening up the council car park site during the week so people

can park easier”

“If 10 car park spaces will be taken from the care park closest to

the school then the other car park that is mostly open for sporting

use needs to be open every day. The parents at the school heavily

rely on this car park and so more parking needs to be made

available if some will be taken away”

“Open the locked car park”

“Must not lose parking for this purpose. Already too busy … as it is”


“Mobility parking space to be upgraded in the nearby off road

parking space. No steps of course!”

5. Seating Many respondents want more seating in future upgrades at Binalong

Park. This includes seating in the shade, within close proximity to the

proposed water play facility, and for spectators to watch sporting

games.


“Grand stand seating. Or more mounds of grass dirt to improve

comfort when watching games”

“More seating for parents and caregivers”

“Lots of shade and seating for families”

“Plenty of seating for rest breaks”

6. Safety and security Many respondents want safety and security measures included in

future upgrades at Binalong Park. Many mentioned fencing, and how it

can provide protection from the main road and flying balls from sport

and games. Respondents also wanted fencing to help prevent young

children from escaping, and to prevent unsupervised children from

entering the proposed water play facility. Other safety measures

mentioned included better lighting at night, including in the car park

area, and security cameras.


“It needs to be better lit at night, including car park area for safety”

“Maybe cameras in the area so the playground is not trashed every

other week”

“Proper safety gates that don’t lead straight into car park or main

road. I have had a toddler escape here before. 4 gates on this park

is unsafe currently”

“Security at night time or have bigger get on front entry. Which

supposed to close after 7 pm every day. Have water play area, we

need to think about kid’s security as well. I also have 2 girl, one is 7

year old and 3 year old”

“Maybe put a better fence around so children are protected from

the traffic on the main road”

“It would need a large fence to protect from balls from field 2”

“Secure facility with gates and fence for safety of younger children”

“The opening of the gate onto the carpark scares me, perhaps just

point the gate towards the grass fields instead?”

7. Play equipment Many respondents want new and/or improved play equipment included

in future upgrades at Binalong Park. Suggestions included monkey

bars, climbing equipment, additional swings, and slides. Respondents

also would like new equipment suitable for infants through to the


elderly, including people with a disability. In addition, several

respondents identified that the rock feature in the playground was a

safety issue for children and asked for its removal.


“Include play for older adolescents, adults, the elderly and people

with a disability”

“My children really like monkey bars and climbing equipment, as do

many older children”

“Fixing up the existing park would improve this for all residents and

school kids. This park is used a lot! Fixing up the middle section

where the bridge is and removing the dangerous rocks. More

shade. More swings but with shade. Monkey bars”

“More equipment suitable to younger children and take away those

rocks with bridge - I think this space is a hazard to younger children

and really serves no purpose. Shade over the swings would be a

great addition”

“More baby appropriate equipment”

“I would suggest getting rid of the dangerous rock part and

including the water play there”

“The swings in the playground face sunset, it would be better to

turn them I think”

8. Landscaping Several respondents want new and/or improved landscaping included

in future upgrades at Binalong Park, including trees to create shade,

landscaping to improve amenity, and artificial grass as a solution to

poor drainage on one of the fields.


“The nearby hedging at the basketball courts should be extended

the whole way down the road (including the proposed water park)”

“Landscaping between the fields to improve amenity”

“Add more parking or make some of the grass artificial. The bottom

field always gets rained out because of the poor drainage. Maybe

start there!”

“More trees to be planted in the middle of the park”

“More tree planting for shade around the boundary of the park

would be more beneficial than a water park”

“Planting of more shrubs and small trees for shade”

9. Picnic facilities Several respondents would like new picnic facilities included in future

upgrades at Binalong Park, including picnic facilities which have a

shelter.



“Have a few BBQ and more picnic tables with shelter”

“We’d love some BBQs added and additional built in picnic areas

so families could have BBQs down there on weekends for family

get together etc. We just had our daughters’ 2nd birthday party at

Ollie Webb reserve for this very reason”

“BBQ and picnic tables would be great”

10. Upgraded amenities

block

Several respondents mentioned an upgraded amenities block should

be included in the future upgrades at Binalong Park. They also

mentioned the need for more storage, space for a meeting room, and

toilets with disability access.


“An upgraded amenities block with a meeting room for the

Parks Committee to hold their meetings and not have to use a

run down. Tennis shed so as the Football Club has more

storage room”

“Storage for Pendle Hill Football Club and upgrade existing

amenities”

“Modify existing tennis court amenities with toilets including

disability access, the top level a grand stand for additional seat

to watch to the codes playing on field #1”

Other suggestions included:

A community garden

Bicycle track

Regular cleaning of playground

More rubbish bins and regular emptying of rubbish bins

Upgrade signage on amenities building

Provide bubblers for drinking

Refurbish and expand the cricket nets

A dog park

A walking track

Cricket pitch and oval at Binalong Park


Why some respondents were not supportive of the proposal

Of the 14% of survey respondents who were not supportive of the proposal, several reasons were cited as to why. These included water restrictions, location issues, parking issues, visitation volume, and that there are better uses of public money. These issues have been summarised below:

Top 10 responses

Summary

1. Water

restrictions

Several respondents cited water restrictions as the reason they were not

supportive of the proposal for water play features at Binalong Park.

Example verbatim comments

“We have water restrictions. This idea is ludicrous”

“As we are in drought it is a total waste of a precious resource”

“We are in drought at the moment and until the drought has ended I’m

voting no, if the drought ends I am happy for it to have some water

features”

“Water shouldn’t be wasted”

2. Location

issues

Several respondents cited that Binalong Park was not the right location for a

water play area. Reynolds Park in Toongabbie, and Caber Park in Winston

Hills were considered by respondents to be better locations for water play.


“Too close to a school. Better places in Toongabbie for this facility. Not

enough room at Binalong for an expanded park with enough parking to

support the facility”

“Not enough space to have a water park, who would supervise. Would

only be used several months of the year and is not a good thing to have so

close to the school with pre-schoolers around.”

“It’s not a practical location next to school. I have three boys who would be

continually getting wet uniforms to and from school”

“I can understand water play area. But I don’t think so it is proper place to

put water play”

“This park was just upgraded a couple of years ago. It was not a very

successful upgrade but this is not the right place for an upgrade”

3. Parking

issues

Several respondents cited that the reduction in car parking spaces is not

practical for park visitors, especially during sporting games.


“Not enough parking now when sports games on and. I think it’ a recipe for

disaster as parents leave their kids unsupervised whilst watching

soccer/cricket/netball games”

“Inadequate parking already. This MUST be addressed first”


“6 car spaces is not practical”

4. Visitation

volume

A few respondents preferred the park to retain its quiet character.


“Traffic congestion and it's a peaceful park”

“Too busy”

5. Better use of

public money

A respondent cited water play at Binalong park was not the best use of

Council’s money.

Verbatim comment

“Because there is a school right next door and the council could be using

their money on better resources like adding more car spaces. It’s stupid to

add a water play there”

4. Stakeholder Interview Summary Eleven sporting groups who use Binalong Park in addition to the Binalong Park Committee were invited via email to take part in an interview conducted over the phone. Two representatives from Starlights Netball Club and Binalong Park Committee requested an interview. The question set used for each stakeholder is as below:

Water playground

1a When considering the water play area, where do you think would be the best location and why? Do you think it’s appropriate to trade off 10 parking spaces if required?

1b What is important to you to consider in a water playground design?

Upgrading building facilities

2a What would you consider as priorities in relation to the upgrading of meeting rooms and other building facilities in the park?

2b What are your group’s needs now and do you see them increasing in the future?

Park overall 3a What else would you like to see included in the concept design?

The following section captures a general summary of discussion from each stakeholder interview:

Starlights Netball Club Water playground

1a was supportive of a water play facility at Binalong Park and considered the loss of approximately

10 car parking spaces to be an appropriate trade-off. Was supportive of how the proposed water

play facility would be located next to the playground.

1b discussed how safety of the water play facility should be a priority, and that it should be equipped with non-slip surfacing and fencing to protect children.


Upgrading building facilities 2a provided comment that a meeting room would be desirable for the netball club as they have regular meetings and registration days. Discussed increasing storage space to store equipment such as post-pads, kits, and uniforms, for a club of approximately 150 members. The post-pads are currently stored in the soccer club’s storage space.

2b Predicated that membership numbers will increase as a neighbouring netball club has relocated

to a new suburb, and Starlights Netball Club may be a closer option for some.

Park overall 3a the netball club would like to see:

o The netball courts remain in the current location

o New all-weather resurfacing on the netball court

o Trees around the court trimmed for clearer sightlines onto the street

o Lighting adjusted to improve brightness on the netball court.

Binalong Park Committee

Water playground

1a supportive of a water play facility at Binalong Park and considered the loss of approximately 10

car parking spaces to be an appropriate trade-off. Also supportive of the proposed water play

facility to be located next to the playground.

Upgraded building facilities 2a provided comment on the need and importance of a meeting room for the Binalong Park

Committee. The Soccer Club should have ample storage to prevent the club’s equipment from

encroaching on space in the change rooms and other spaces in the amenities building.

2b provided comment on the need and importance of a meeting room to help the Committee to

retain its membership.

Park overall 3a provided comment on poor ventilation in the toilets especially on hot days. Expressed concerns about the underground drip irrigation system being at risk of damage by community members setting up portable volleyball nets on the field. Space near the basketball courts was offered as an alternative location to set up volleyball nets, however this could present a noise issue for neighbouring residents.

5. Next Steps

Council will now consider the feedback received and gauge if community support is strong enough to progress to the next stage of planning, Phase 2 Concept Design.

Engagement for Phase 2 is proposed to start in March 2020. Community members will have opportunities to contribute to the next stage of the design.


6. Appendix 1 – ‘Our Say’ data file (spreadsheet)

proposed upgrades to binalong park – engagement summary report · 2020-01-30 · proposed...

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