Open for business: The revamped Outrim Park is officially declared open by, from left to right, Macquarie MP Louise Markus, Deputy Mayor Mark Greenhill, Ward 2 councillor Chris Van der Kley, Ward 4 councillors Howard McCallum and Fiona Creed, Blue Mountains MP Roza Sage, and Blue Wail Cafe owner Cameron Hayton.
A new-look play park was officially declared open at the inaugural Blaxland Explorers’ Day last weekend.
Outrim Park, near the Blue Wail Cafe beside the shopping centre car park, was recently revamped by Blue Mountains City Council (BMCC) and now boasts new play equipment and surfaces.
It was officially declared open by local representatives at the town’s first-ever Explorers’ Day last Saturday, May 12, with Blue Wail Cafe owner Cameron Hayton, who pushed for the project to be completed, saying the park’s development was a “long-time vision” of his.
“It’s very, very exciting, it was a very under used area of Blaxland,” he told the crowd on the day.
“Now we have created a beautiful space for the entire community to use.
“Special thanks to the councillors for making this all possible. I have never seen a council act so fast, it’s great to see you put so much love and care into this community.”
Deputy Mayor Mark Greenhill thanked the Blaxland Chamber of Commerce on behalf of himself and the other two ward councillors, Fiona Creed and Howard McCallum, for its members’ hard work on the issue. “I would like to thank Cameron from the Blue Wail Cafe and the Blaxland Chamber of Commerce for raising this issue with my Ward 4 colleagues and me,” he said. “We took this fantastic idea and worked together with the staff at council to find the funds to get the work done. Just a year later we have a fantastic new park and it is marvellous to see all these happy children enjoying it.
“My four children are here today and the smiles on their faces tell me that council and the Blaxland Chamber of Commerce can feel good about a job well done.”
The day was well attended with people taking the opportunity to browse stalls and shops, as well as a vintage car display and children’s animal petting farm.