Residents of Chittaway Bay are campaigning for the installation of public bathroom amenities at Lions Park, the home to a pirate-themed playground built in memory of local toddler Jimmy Jurd, who lost his life at 23 months in 2016 to a rare form of brain cancer.
Lions Park is a magnet for local families and children.
It is a pitstop along the 12km off-road pathway that circumnavigates the lake from Chittaway Bay to The Entrance and is also home to an adult fitness equipment station.
It contains several barbecues, tables and benches.
There is parking for at least 40 vehicles, bubblers and a water station for dogs.
It is known to get so crowded at weekends that it is difficult to find a parking space.
The convenor of the campaigning group, Les Smith, who is also a member of the local RFS said that the RFS had planned an annual, outdoor, COVID-safe party for families at Lions Park before it was pointed out that there were no facilities.
“We just couldn’t have the party there even though Lions Park is the perfect spot. It’s big enough for community events and has everything, except for bathrooms,” he said.
The nearest toilets are one kilometre away in a much smaller park called Bluebell.
“I’m 70 years old and if I’m at Lions Park, I don’t want to walk there and back.
“It doesn’t make sense. Bluebell has an old playground and no parking. Why does that park have facilities, when Lions Park, which is used by everyone – kids, parents, grandparents with grandchildren – doesn’t have anything?” he said.
Smith took to Facebook to find residents who would prefer to spend more time using the park but are put off by lack of amenities.
“I’m not good at IT. I googled ‘how to set up a Facebook group’ and I advertised it on all those community pages – Berkley Vale, Bateau Bay, Tumbi and The Entrance.
“Lots of people come down from The Entrance to use the park, and then take the track back up,” he said.
The group has grown to more than 250 people.
Smith explained that the group has contacted Council, which referred them to a 26-page parks document that stipulates that Lions Park doesn’t warrant an amenities block.
“Council are so black and white. Common sense tells us that park warrants it.
“There’s nobody listening at the Council. They’re just faceless people who will reinforce what the problem is, but won’t give you a solution,” he added.
The group has contacted MPs David Mehan, David Harris, Adam Crouch and Emma McBride.
Adam Crouch is thought to be in touch with Council CEO David Farmer over the issue.
“In January we will start pushing Council again to look at this from a commonsense point of view, and not just from the rules and regulations of Council,” said Smith.
The facebook group is called the Lions Park and Jimmy Jurd Pirate Park at Chittaway Bay.
Nicola Riches