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Newcastle Herald
Newcastle Herald
National
Sage Swinton

Climbing wall, bike track, wall ball at new-look playground

James, 5, rides his bike on the new pump track at Wallsend Active Hub in Federal Park. Pictures by Max Mason-Hubers
Pam Dawson watches her grandson Tom, 5, as he tries out a new slide at the park.
Newcastle lord mayor Nuatali Nelmes walks with construction crewmen Riley Fisher and Rick Garrett.

Wallsend is now home to the city's largest playground and only public park climbing wall after the opening of an "active hub" at Federal Park.

The $2 million upgrade transformed the park into a kids' paradise complete with bike pump track, climbing walls, basketball and wall ball courts and fitness equipment.

Lord mayor Nuatali Nelmes said Wallsend had been identified as a growth area for families.

"There have been lots of local families peeking through the fence during construction," she said.

The project was initially priced at $1.5 million. Council attributed the extra expense to increased construction costs and an "enhanced scope" since the project was announced, including a higher climbing wall, raised ground to mitigate flooding and use of soft fall material.

A community fun day will be held at the park on November 20.

The next stage of works for the site are being planned, including public toilets, barbecues and a fitness trail connected to Wallsend CBD.

Other playgrounds set to be upgraded include Waratah Park; Highland County, Fletcher; Harold Myers Park, Birmingham Gardens; Vera Wilson Park, Beresfield and Avon Street Reserve, Mayfield.

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