Cootamundra’s Pioneer Park was the venue on Monday to mark the official opening of Stage two of the Pioneer Park refurbishment project.
In attendance Cootamundra-Gundagai Regional Council’s (CGRC) acting mayor Councillor Gil Kelly and Member for Cootamundra, Steph Cooke gave speeches thanking the funding source, staff, contractors, and other key stakeholders involved with Pioneer Park.
The Pioneer Park Project (Stage two) was funded through the NSW Bushfire Local Economic Recovery Fund.
This project initially commenced with an onsite meeting that comprised several stakeholders interested in the park’s future, these included, Friends of Pioneer Park Group, The Aboriginal Working Party Group, NSW Rural Fire Service, Mountain Bike Club, Bush Walking Club, Coota Signs and Council representatives.
The meeting discussed the list for the scope of works which had largely been identified through a report completed by the Friends of Pioneer Park group and took down ideas from other stakeholders at the meeting.
The $202,212 project delivered, new toilet facilities, shelter and barbeque facilities, picnic tables, park benches, bollard and chain fencing, solar bollard lighting.
The project created a bush regeneration area which includes native plantings and ground rejuvenation. Directional signage was erected along many of the walking and bike trails, with map signage, pathway clearing, and wood burning barbeques/fire pits installed.
Pioneer Park is now a designated RV Friendly camping area and is already proving to be popular with consistent usage and positive feedback.
The opening was attended by CGRC staff along with interested stakeholders.
Acting mayor Councillor Gil Kelly welcomed all to the opening and said he was delighted that this stage of the project had already proved popular.
“It’s great to see people using this park, it’s natural beauty and proximity to town will make it popular for visitors to enjoy. These new facilities will only enhance that experience and perhaps encourage more people to stay a little longer in our community,” Cr Kelly said.
Picture and caption:
Acting Mayor Cr Gil Kelly, Member for Cootamundra and CGRC Interim General Manager Steve McGrath along with CGRC staff members and other stakeholders braved the chilly conditions to enjoy a sausage sizzle at the official opening of the Pioneer Park Stage Two project in Cootamundra on Monday.
