Giant chess games in Burns Park have proved a great success as part of an initiative to reclaim the green spaces of Gosford and make them a safe place to enjoy.
Gosford Business Improvement District (GBID) located beside Burns Park in Gosford are trying to change the face and culture of Gosford by organising giant chess games in Burns Park every Wednesday.
The community funded initiative attempts to change the negative perception of Burns Park that has become a well known spot for crime and public nuisance in recent months.
Project manager for GBID, Ms Edwina Nikora said the games have started to change the traffic through the park.
“The games have brought young people known to be disturbances to the park wanting to play and have a turn,” Edwina said.
The chess games are one step to creating positive stories that are burying the negative stigma of parks, and organisers of the initiative are hoping to crowd fund for more exciting, giant activities and games.
Business development officer Ms Kim Leecroft said: “We hope to crowd fund for giant Jenga, Connect 4 and bowling.”
With the many developments planned for Gosford, GBID are passionate about appreciating Gosford’s parks and making the green spaces in Gosford destinations for families and workers to enjoy.
Ms Leecroft said the park has seen an increase in workers taking their lunch there, as well as young people stopping by to enjoy the sun. GBID have been shown a great amount of support from local businesses and cafes, some even supplying colouring pages and coffee.
“We want to see people coming in to enjoy Gosford and are happy to help the organisation of community events with administration and management,” she said.
GBID are also hosting a ‘Live from Five’ food and wine festival in Kibble Park during October which will feature live entertainment, fresh food and boutique wines.
“We love all the development applications that are improving the CBD, but people and a community make a town,” Ms Nikora said.
The giant chess games in Burns Park are continuously seeing more and more people each week and organisers wish to make the park a ‘hidden gem’ that is safe for families and people to enjoy.
Media Release,
Aug 12, 2015
Kim Leecroft, Gosford
Business Improvement
District
Interview, Aug 25, 2015
Kim Leecroft, GBID
Ewina Nikora, GBID
Kiah Frankel, journalist