By REBECCA BILLS
THE Montrose Community Playground has a new wheelchair friendly spinning net and miniature Montrose Community Bank Branch ATM thanks to community support.
Montrose Recreational Reserve Committee vice president Julie McDonald said these latest additions totalled about $40,000 and were made possible by Yarra Ranges Council, the Montrose Community Bank, the reserve committee and other community sponsorship.
The playground, built by the community in 2008, features all ability swings, a huge climbing net, a new all ability spinning climbing net, a sensory garden, animal sculptures and a miniature Montrose Shopping Village for children to play in.
Ms McDonald said that since the playground’s inception it has been a huge job for the group to look after and it has been well loved and very well used since opening.
“It’s just nice that even six years down the track we are still building and creating a better space in the community,” she said.
“The artwork, in particular, makes this playground unique to Montrose.”
Melba Support Services CEO Glenn Foard said it was great to see people of all descriptions coming together in a community space.
“This is a place for people of all abilities to come and share time together and have fun,” he said.
“For too long in the past we didn’t have these opportunities for children to come together like this and a facility like this opens the door for interaction between all.
“I think we should be really proud to have a facility that all people can come and use whether you are disabled or not.”
Walling Ward councillor and the council’s disability advisory committee chairman Len Cox said the playground has been well used and is loved by many local children.
“It is one of the most important places in Montrose, I would have to say,” he said.
“The thing that we are trying to push through council all the time is that everybody with any form of disability has to be considered and included in everything that occurs.
“It is so important that this space is a place that children with all sorts of abilities can come and play.”
Montrose Community Bank Branch spokesperson Jill Rule said the playground was built before the branch was opened.
“When the opportunity came along to sponsor we saw it as a great opportunity to contribute and give back,” she said.
“We see this space as an iconic community destination and landmark.”
