Cook Street Park Mittagong restored to former glory

At the time the park was in total disrepair and the then 10-year-old Melinda had launched a campaign to restore it to its former glory.

READ MORE:

Countless letters and two funding grants later the Cook Street Park is back up and running, much to the delight of Melinda and the other 40 children she says, use the equipment on an almost daily basis.

"We first started by sending an email to council asking about it," Melinda said. "I think I was eight years old."

According to Melinda, council responded that the park was a "work in progress" and that they were still deciding what to do with it.

ALSO READ: Cook Street Park 'looks awful', says 10-year-old Melinda Walker-Smith

"At that time my park was still here," Melinda said.

"We had a few things, but the first thing to go was the fort, and then the see-saw went, and then last was the swings. So in 2019 all that was left was a swing set."

At about this time Melinda was interviewed by the Southern Highland News, however council still refused to comment.

"They said that they weren't allowed. I don't know why, but they probably weren't planning on doing anything with it," Melinda said.

"So we put this massive sign up: 'We want our park back.' And then we wrote to council a few more times, and we eventually got a grant from them."

At the same time Challenge House and Argyle Housing also stepped up to the plate by adding an extra $81,000 to the kitty to pay for disability access.

"In January last year they said that they had a plan to figure out how to spend the money," Melinda said.

"I was invited to have a say, and I made an image of what I thought the park should look like. It was for older kids as well as younger kids.

"Swings are one of the most fun things at a park so I wanted three types of swings and some climbing things as well," she said.

Melinda is 14-years-old now but says the park is still her favourite place to spend time outdoors.

"I come here virtually every day," she said.

"I sit on the swings and see how high I can jump off."

This was the first project over which Melinda chose to have a voice and to campaign for.

Her parents Tim and Donna Walker-Smith say they could not be more proud of their daughter's determination.

Four-year-old Aceyln Holland also loves the park. The Southern Highlands Christian School Prep student said: "My Mummy always brings me."

Acelyn's great grandmother Mary Holland explained the park was important because children need somewhere to be outside.

"Rather than being locked up inside," she said.

"There's a lot of kids that live around here and they all love it. Acelyn has a little sister too, they absolutely love coming here."

Ms Holland said spending time at the park with your children was important for parents too.

"I always say nothing stays the same, so you've got to enjoy every little bit of it that you can," she said.

While the Cook Street Park is singing once more, there are still some residents who wish the renovation had taken the further step of delivering a shade sail for sun coverage, as well as a fence to keep the children safe.

Our journalists work hard to provide local, up-to-date news to the community. This is how you can access our trusted content: