For the groups of children, teenagers and their parents who have petitioned the council, attended consultation meetings and organised sausage sizzles to raise money to update the outdated skate precinct, which was built in the 1990s, the news is exhilarating. 

The park’s design, drawn up by Convic, includes a modern skate park precinct and half basketball court which will be in keeping with the surrounding playground and community garden facilities. 

Convic specialises in creating youth spaces like skate parks in Australia and across the globe.

Hepburn Shire Council said the design incorporated changes suggested by the community, Sports and Recreation Victoria and Victoria Police.

Councillor Kate Redwood said the project will reactivate the Daylesford Community Park for young people and families.

“It’s really important to have places in our region where young people can get together, have fun and be active. The new elements of the redeveloped space will attract new users to the park and help bring the space to life,” she said.

Friends of Daylesford Community Park committee member Paul Lemphers reiterated this. 

He has been pushing for the upgrade for years. In 2016, Mr Lemphers created a change.org petition calling for the council to create a safer recreational facility for the town’s children.

“This project will deliver lasting benefits to our community by promoting a healthier lifestyle for our kids by giving them a fun and safe space to play outside.

“It will also promote more social interaction between kids in Daylesford which is important for their emotional development,” he said.

Hepburn Shire Council allocated $30,000 in April 2017 for the development of the Daylesford skatepark precinct in its 2017/18 budget. That money went towards three different sets of designs. Council will submit a funding application to the Community Sporting Infrastructure Fund by the end of June 2018.