Teenage girls play key role in safer park design
The Hunter and Central Coast Development Corporation (HCCDC) is teaming up with teenage girls in Lake Macquarie to create a public space with a difference, where anyone can feel safe to relax, play and socialise.
The project is part of Transport for NSW’s Safer Cities program, which aims to improve feelings of safety in public spaces and around transport hub precincts across NSW, particularly for women, girls and gender diverse people.
HCCDC brought together a group of local girls for creative workshops to uncover what impacts their sense of safety in public, determine a suitable space to enhance, and to co-design a place that they’d love to spend time in.
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The workshops generated some brilliant ideas, from decorative lighting and greenery to comfortable furniture, areas to socialise and play equipment tailored to teens. The ideas are set to be realised in Bernie Goodwin Park in Morisset early next year.
HCCDC is leading and co-ordinating the project installing social seating, hammocks, inlaid trampolines, feature lighting, landscaped gardens and new trees, creating a haven for teenage girls as well as the wider community to enjoy.
The new space will be a welcome addition to Bernie Goodwin Park, chosen due to its proximity to Morisset High School, transport, shops and sporting facilities.
Valentina Misevska, HCCDC Chief Executive said:
“The Safer Cities project in Morisset is particularly exciting because it lets us work directly with the end user and create a place that’s special to them but can be enjoyed by everyone.”
“There’s a lack of public spaces designed with teenage girls in mind, and this project has allowed us to co-design with them, for them.”
“When we sat down with this group of girls, they told us they’d like to spend time in a place that’s social, comfortable, fun and encourages activity – an alternative to a typical play space often designed for much younger children.”
“It’s also great to see young girls and young women play a role in the urban design process. They have directly influenced these designs, and I can’t wait for them to be able to enjoy the space that they helped create.”
Brooke Wharton, Transport for NSW A/Executive Director Cities Revitalisation and Place said:
“We know that that most people, regardless of gender, consider whether they feel safe when they choose how to move around cities and we also know that teenage girls tend to feel less safe and included in our public places, both day and night.”
“Through the Safer Cities program, we have heard that teenagers seek out places that have fun activities and are free for them to spend time in. It’s fantastic to have a space designed by teenage girls for teenage girls that’s free to use.”
Work will begin in Bernie Goodwin Park in early 2025 and will open to the public later that year. The Safer Cities program is funded by the NSW Government and led by Transport for NSW.
More information:
Imagery:
Artist’s impressions of the Bernie Goodwin Park designs are available here
Media enquiries:
- Luke Robertson | HCCDC | 0436 286 408
- Rena Richmond | Transport for NSW | 0427 374 518