Replacement Playground at Mick Ryan Reserve Officially Opens
Published on 09 December 2020
The replacement Playground at Mick Ryan Reserve, Milton was officially unveiled today by Shoalhaven Mayor Amanda Findley.
Fully funded by Shoalhaven City Council, the $130,000 cost to install the new playground has come from Council’s Playground Replacement Fund.
Mayor Amanda Findley hopes the new equipment will add to the attraction of the Milton park that is often referred to as the Big Tree Park, for the large fig tree located near the playground. Believed to be around 190 years old, the fig tree is approximately 10 metres tall and has a spread of 38 metres.
"Activities children can enjoy in the new playground that weren’t available previously include a basket swing, spinner, a climbing cube and a see saw. The tree is also favourite play area for children with many climbable branches to ground level and hide-and-seek spots around its huge, buttressed trunk. The tree is in very good health and is listed on the National Register of Big Trees,” said Clr Findley.
“The new playground also has a shade sail which means both the playground and the tree can be enjoyed in the warmer months of the year.
“Council purchased Mick Ryan Park in the 1960s from a dairy farmer named Mick Ryan in order to preserve the lovely old fig tree and ensure a parcel of grassed land would be kept for future generations to enjoy. It is great to see nearly six decades on, residents and visitors have a wonderful precinct for families to spend the day or even a weekend,” said Clr Findley.
Mick Ryan Reserve is a great place for families to visit for an outing, when passing through on a road trip or for a picnic or a break from shopping. As well as the playground and the fig tree, the Reserve has toilets, parking and a BBQ.
Prior to replacing the playground, Council consulted with the community in April to inform the design of and equipment at the playground. Final designs were also assessed against an industry best practice guide.
Image: Local residents with Shoalhaven City Council Mayor Amanda Findley cutting the ribbon