Elderslie’s Curry Reserve has received a top honour, being crowned the country’s ‘Park of the Year’ at the 2020 Parks & Leisure Australia Awards of Excellence.

The water play space, which opened in September last year, is an inclusive facility with accessible activities, wet play wheelchairs and the Macarthur region’s first fully accessible and accredited public toilet and adult change facility.

As well as its inclusivity, the park was also recognised for its sustainable design, including its:

• Use of recycled and treated water;
• Construction around existing trees; and
• Water bottle refill station, to help reduce plastic bottle wastage.

Mayor of Camden, Cr Theresa Fedeli said the award recognised the importance of inclusive spaces in communities.

“It’s a huge honour to receive this award for this fantastic local facility we have here in Camden,” she said.

“Curry Reserve was created to break down the barriers which prevent people with disability from enjoying the same opportunities and choices as other recreational space users.

“We have more than 6000 Camden residents who are currently living with some form of disability, and they deserve to enjoy recreational spaces just like everybody else.”

Cr Fedeli said there had been a huge positive impact in the community since the opening of Curry Reserve.

“I’ve had parents come up to me and say ‘thank you so much for creating this place where my child can have fun,’” she said.

“To see kids and adults enjoying a water play space that otherwise might not be able to is incredibly heart-warming.”