Work underway on City’s sixth skatepark

Forest Hill will have its own skatepark by the end of June.

The new skatepark at Forest Hill Oval will be the city’s sixth, with one at Chambers Park in Tolland, Henwood Park in Kooringal, Bolton Park in Central, Webb Park in Ashmont and William Street in North Wagga.

In September 2016 about 20 Forest Hill residents met with City of Wagga Wagga staff to discuss options for the popular park area. A skatepark was the overwhelming favourite choice of equipment for the open space.

Forest Hill resident and mum of three boys Alisha Peters was at the meeting last year and is looking forward to the park upgrades coming to her neighbourhood.

“We currently travel in to Kooringal for the boys to use the skatepark, so having one just up the road will be very convenient. No doubt the boys will want to use their scooters even more once it’s complete,” Mrs Peters said.

“There are plenty of families in Forest Hill that will surely make the most of these new park upgrades.”

The new skatepark will be modular style, which, when compared to concrete skateparks, provide greater variety in design and are made from flexible and impact-absorbing materials, which can help reduce injuries.

The skatepark is one part of a $300,000 overhaul of the Forest Hill Oval. Other improvements include:

• New barbecue area complete with barbecue, shelter, concrete base and table settings
• Relocation of existing playground closer to amenities
• New bike racks
• A multi-use exercise equipment
• Replacement of basketball backboards and netball ring
• New footpaths, bubblers, bins, landscaping and more.

City of Wagga Wagga’s Recreation Officer Peter Cook said the upgrades aim to add to the liveability and family-friendly appeal of Forest Hill.

“It was important we had residents’ feedback and input on this project, as these are the people who will be getting the most enjoyment out of the facilities.

“It’s also about thinking for the future. Forest Hill is growing, we want to make sure there are great facilities available for current residents as well as for all future families that choose to call Forest Hill home.”

Works have already started on some of the upgrades, including earthworks on the skatepark. All works are expected to be complete by the end of June.  

The Forest Hill Oval works have been fully funded through Section 94 and Section 94a contributions.