The Byron Shire Council says workers will be knocking down the main part of Byron Bay’s highly popular playground at Apex Park from Monday.
Council issued a media release earlier this week saying the playground was installed in 2007 and has developed significant faults that can’t be repaired for a reasonable cost.
Sea air may be wonderful for the senses but it’s harsh on materials typically used in playgrounds, leading to rust and degradation.
Only the existing swings and spring toys are to stay ‘for now’, the Council statement reads, with no new playground equipment to replace the rest until at least next year.
Apex of playgrounds to leave a void, and disappointment
‘But I love that playground! It’s the best one!’ said seven-year-old Kaea Mohi-Armitage* when he saw the release.
Kaea and his sister are regular holiday visitors to the Byron Shire and usually insist on visiting the Apex Park playground at least every couple of days while in the region.
The playground overlooks Byron’s Main Beach with a view encompassing the Nguthungulli Julian Rocks and famous Cape Byron Lighthouse.
Unlike many other playgrounds on the Northern Rivers, it is generally well shaded thanks to a few well-placed trees.
Plenty of nearby carparking is available, provided drivers are patient in busy periods, as well as Byron’s plethora of food and drink outlets.
While the public toilets aren’t always clean or working well, they’re much closer than most toilets are to playgrounds and their modern layout means it’s easy for adults to keep watch on children queuing.
Twenty-four hour CCTV cameras are positioned above the toilet block, surveying the park and playground on behalf of police.
Buskers and other street performers are also regularly featured in Apex Park and the combination of factors listed makes the playground a hit with tourists and locals alike.
A summer without the familiar set-up is therefore bound to disappoint many and it’s unclear what the temporary visual impact of the void will be.
Byron foreshore redesign to launch next year
Byron Shire Council says it will probably take workers around two weeks to get rid of the ageing equipment and that some sections of the park will be closed in the meantime.
A redesign process for the Byron foreshore will be launched in early 2024, the media release says.
Mayor Michael Lyon is quoted saying that Council will be looking for input from the community about the size and style of the playground that will replace the one being removed.
‘Well, it has to be as good as this one!’ said Kaea.
Nearby parks with playgrounds are at Dening Park, Byron Recreation Grounds, and Railway Park.
The recently opened Jarjumirr Park – Byron Bay Skate Park also continues to attract scores of visitors young and old and is within walking distance of Main Beach.
*Kaea Mohi-Armitage is nephew to reporter Mia Armitage
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