Berry's highly anticipated nature park has already attracted hundreds of local and visiting families after its grand opening over the weekend.
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The inclusive Boongaree Rotary Nature Play Park was bustling with activity on Tuesday, with children of all ages and abilities climbing, swinging, picnicking and exploring the park's immersive equipment.
The $6.5 million dollar project, previously known as the Berry District Park, is a collaboration between Berry Rotary and Shoalhaven City Council with funding from state and federal governments.
The new park includes a dual, accessible flying fox, sensory play area, swings, slides, climbing nets and exercise equipment.
There are also amenities with lift and change facilities and family picnic and BBQ spaces, designed to reinvigorate the northern edge of the Berry township following the introduction of the Berry bypass in 2017.
Gerringong resident, nature play advocate and popular parenting author, Maggie Dent, took her grandkids to the park on Tuesday and believed Berry might just "become the play capital of the South Coast" because of it.
"My heart is really singing," Maggie told the South Coast Register.
"We know that it's important to get kids outside and off screens, we also know that we need to give them opportunities to stretch themselves.
"And some of our older playgrounds are way too safe. We need to give kids back the freedom and autonomy to be children, because that's how they grow and thrive and become more resilient."
Executive manager of Flagstaff Life Choices, Rodney Clarke, also welcomed the new park and its accessibility for people living with disability.
"The best thing about the Boongaree Park is that it offers choice and accessibility for people with disability," he said.
"There are a variety of activities to do in a setting that is inclusive and well planned out for all the community meeting accessibility standards.
"We are aware that council took many steps in ensuring equipment and amenities met accessibility standards.
"We look forward to the other stages to be created including the Boongaree Reconciliation Garden which will be a perfect place for learning about local Indigenous culture."
Berry Rotary worked hard to raise funds for the project since 2014, and the first sod was officially turned for the park in September 2020.
Kiama MP Gareth Ward, who threw his support behind the project and secured state funding, was thrilled to hear visitors from Sydney and beyond had already visited.
"What (Berry Rotary) brought to me in 2019 was a staged adventure and all ability playground," he said.
"Kids with disabilities is something I feel strongly about having been one of those kids.
"I've had friends already from Sydney and further north drop in because they've seen the playground on Facebook!
"We're going to get a lot of tourism and additional business benefits from this park. It wasn't just about community infrastructure but also economic infrastructure."
Future works will include a new skate park and pump track, a dog park and improvements to the sporting facilities, including additional formal car parking for visitors in accordance with the Boongaree Master Plan.
To stay up to date on this project and for further information on Boongaree, including the Master Plan and Staging Plan, visit www.getinvolved.shoalhaven.nsw.gov.au/berry-district-park.
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