Riverside park upgrade a shore thing for Goodna families
24 July 2024
A popular Ipswich park overlooking the Brisbane River has been reimagined as an ode to local river transportation throughout millennia.
Ipswich Mayor Teresa Harding said the newly upgraded R J Richardson Park in Goodna is full to the brim with modernised play equipment and features that embrace the neighbouring river.
“A huge paddle steamboat play structure is now an unmissable feature of this popular park, ready for Goonda’s youngest residents to climb and enjoy imaginative play,” Mayor Harding said.
“The de-constructed steamboat turned play element is a nod to the 19th Century era of transporting goods up and down the river between Brisbane and Ipswich, before the railway line opened in 1875.”
The R J Richardson Park upgrade was proudly funded by the Queensland Government’s South East Queensland Community Stimulus Program in partnership with Ipswich City Council.
“More parks across Ipswich means more open spaces for families and children to exercise, play and enjoy, closer to home,” Bundamba MP and Minister for Training and Skills Development Lance McCallum said.
“This will be a new way for children to learn about the city’s rich history including cultural elements of First Nations peoples as the traditional owners of the land.”
Infrastructure, Planning and Assets Committee Chairperson Councillor Andrew Antoniolli said the new playground features reflect the historical and enduring connection the community has with the river.
“Along with the more recent history of the paddle steamboat, Traditional Owners’ connection to the river is featured in the park’s design, including a moored Indigenous canoe carved from timber nestled among a re-creation of a rocky river bank,” Cr Antoniolli said.
“The sandstone rocks etched with traditional markings and symbols used to represent the rocky river bank also contribute to nature-based play, which the community had identified as an important feature of the renewed park.”
Deputy Mayor and Division 2 Councillor Nicole Jonic said the $1.5 million project included improved lighting and landscaping at the park, with plenty of green space for recreational and fitness use.
“The outdoor fitness area has been replaced with the latest calisthenics equipment suitable for all fitness levels, while open lawn areas allow for picnics, group exercise, and play.
“This means the area can now be enjoyed in many different ways as part of an outdoor lifestyle that many of us in Ipswich know and love.”
Division 2 Councillor Paul Tully said valued elements of the existing park remained and had been upgraded for longevity.
“The existing flying fox has been retained with refreshed bark underneath and the amenities block has been refurbished for the enjoyment of users,” Cr Tully said.
“Existing shelters, seating and BBQ areas have been refurbished with an additional BBQ, shelters and seating provided to cater for more families to use this popular riverside park.”
R J Richardson Park is located off Brisbane Terrace near the Goodna and District Rugby League Football Club, Goodna Aquatic Centre and Goodna Boat Ramp.