$300,000 Forest Hill Oval overhaul now complete

The next Aussie pro skateboarder could be perfecting their skills in Forest Hill right now.

The city’s sixth skatepark opened last Wednesday and has been a huge hit with the Forest Hill locals.

“The skatepark and all the new facilities at the park are fantastic for the children of Forest Hill, it gives them somewhere to come after school and on weekends instead of having to take them into town,” Forest Hill dad Dominic Inman said.

“It has been a fantastic effort by all, the community and working with Council, to get just what the people here in Forest Hill need.”

The skatepark is part of a $300,000 overhaul of the Forest Hill Oval, with all improvements focussing on increasing the social and inclusive environment within the Forest Hill community.

“When we asked the Forest Hill community last year what they wanted from their local park it was clear that recreational and social facilities was a top priority,” Strategic Asset Planner (Parks and Recreation) Ben Creighton said.

“The skatepark, which was a big ticket item for the community, and a new sheltered barbecue and picnic area both provide new social opportunities for the people of Forest Hill.

“There was also a need for better connections within the open space. Through the improvement works we have been able to put in concrete footpaths linking the skatepark to the amenities.

“We were also able to relocate the existing playground closer to the amenities and barbecue shelter. This will make is easier and safer for parents to mind their children while accessing the services at the oval.”

The new skatepark is a large modular style, the first of its kind in the city, complete with half pike, rollers, wedge ramps and grind rails. When compared to concrete skateparks, the modular designs provide greater variety in design and are made from flexible and impact-absorbing materials, which can help reduce injuries.

The Forest Hill skatepark adds to the growing list of skateparks in the city, 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.

Council also continues to work with the Uranquinty community to help deliver a skatepark in the village. In 2016 Council committed $50,000 to the project with the community to fundraise the remaining amount.

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

Official Opening
Wednesday 26 July 3pm – 6pm
Celebrate the official opening of the Forest Hill Oval upgrades. Come down for a skate,
swing and sausage sandwich. Free community barbecue and take a look around Charlie –
Council’s community engagement truck. Official opening by Mayor of the City of Wagga
Wagga Greg Conkey OAM at 4pm.