Draft on Exhibition 2026

Draft Playspace Strategy now on exhibition

Earlier engagement with the community helped shape Council’s draft Playspace Strategy.

We heard what matters most when it comes to playspaces across the Central Coast – and this exhibition is your chance to check whether the draft reflects what we heard, and whether we’ve got the balance right.

Tell us if we’ve got it right

What we heard and how it is reflected in the draft

The draft strategy responds to key themes raised through earlier engagement, including:

  • Shade that works

    A strong focus on well‑planned and well‑designed shade, with an emphasis on natural shade wherever possible across all playspaces.

  • Right features in the right places

    Support for play elements like levels and height at district and regional playspaces, where they are most appropriate.

  • A sensible approach to fencing

    Fencing considered on a site‑by‑site basis, taking into account factors such as proximity to roads, traffic conditions and local context, with fencing supported at district and regional playspaces where needed.

  • A connected network of local playspaces

    A network‑based approach to planning local play spaces, ensuring different types of play experiences are provided across neighbourhoods, rather than trying to make every site do everything.

  • Fit‑for‑purpose playspaces

    A functional assessment of the playspace network to make sure play spaces are well located, usable, safe and meeting community needs.

Guiding Principles

The draft Strategy is built around six principles to ensure a high-quality, sustainable and inclusive playspace network:

  • Equitable distribution across the region

  • Co-location with other community facilities

    Where appropriate

  • Well-planned, fit-for-purpose design

  • Environmental, social and financial sustainability

  • Accessibility and inclusion

    Aligned with Everyone Can Play guidelines

  • ​Diversity and challenge

    Supporting physical, cognitive, sensory and social play

Playspace Hierarchy

A clear playspace hierarchy is used to guide investment and upgrades, ensuring the right level of facilities are provided in the right locations. This helps balance local neighbourhood play with district, regional and destination-level experiences, supported by appropriate infrastructure such as shade, paths, amenities and seating.

Key strategic actions

The draft Strategy proposes a range of actions for the next five years to strengthen the playspace network, including:

  • Redeveloping Gosford Leagues Club Park as a destination playspace linked to the Gosford Waterfront
  • Delivering a new regional playspace and skate park at Lake Munmorah
  • Assessing the overall playspace network using Council’s Open Space planning framework
  • Developing a Park and Playspace Management Plan
  • Identifying opportunities to upgrade selected local playspaces to district level
  • Increasing shade and tree planting at all playspaces
  • Continuing the 20-year renewal program and independent condition audits
  • Exploring opportunities for outdoor exercise equipment near shared pathways

Now is your opportunity to:

Your feedback will help shape the final strategy and guide how playspaces are planned, upgraded and delivered across the Central Coast.

To share your feedback on the draft Playspace Strategy you can:

When providing feedback to Council your attention is drawn to the provisions of the Government Information (Public Access) Act 2009 which allows for possible access to certain public and personal documentation. View our privacy statement.

If you require further information, please contact Council’s Customer Service Centre. Any written feedback provided may also be made publicly available as (de-identified) verbatim comments in the reporting process.

Find a playspace near you

Explore our interactive map or search by name or suburb below to discover local playspaces!

What we heard in 2025

Between 10 November and 21 December 2025, more than 1,000 people took part through surveys, online activities and pop‑up events across the Central Coast. Your feedback clearly showed how important local playspaces are to everyday community life, particularly for families with young children.

Summary of engagement results

Next steps

The team are now reviewing your feedback and developing Council’s new Playspace Strategy.

The Playspace Strategy will then go on public exhibition mid 2026 for further community feedback to make sure we got it right.

The Playspace Strategy introduces a Playspace Hierarchy to help apply community feedback to future playspace planning and upgrades, recognising that local, district and regional playspaces serve different functions within the network.

2025 Community Consultation

Have your say on how we play!

Central Coast Council is revising its Playspace Strategy – a five-year plan that guides how we plan, build, and care for playspaces across the region. Your feedback will help shape the future of these important community spaces.

We’ll then use your feedback to create a revised draft Playspace Strategy that we’ll present back to you so you can let us know if we got it right.

Playspaces play an important role in the lives of our community – from young to old – and we proudly manage and maintain over 270 across the Central Coast.

These popular outdoor spaces are where we socialise, keep active and connect with each other and provide a wide range of benefits for the region. For our children, playspaces offer multiple activities allowing for play and learning in fun spaces that develop their physical, emotional, social and cognitive skills.

  • What is a playspace

    Playspaces are more than the play equipment - they include a ‘whole of park’ experience and can offer spaces for multiple activities and play experiences within the reserve or park for a range of abilities - often with supporting infrastructure (for example, seating, pathways, drinking water etc.).

Local, District and Regional Playspaces

  • Local Playspaces

    Local playspaces sit within local parks and cater to surrounding residents located generally within a 400-800m radius for short stay.

    Playspace at Turo Reserve, Pretty Beach pictured for example

  • District Playspaces

    District playspaces are medium size and service residents in a 1 to 2 km radius and co-located with other facilities for a stay longer than 2 hours.


    Playspace at Kurraba Oval/Tennis Courts, Berkeley Vale pictured for example

  • Regional Playspaces

    Regional playspaces are the largest sized with the greatest variety of equipment and include ancillary facilities such as car parking and other activities such as skate parks or half courts. These playspaces service residents within a 5–10 km radius but also attract visitors across the whole region.

    Playspace at Green Point Sun Valley pictured for example

Tell us what makes a playspace meaningful for your community

Survey now closed

Your attention is drawn to the provisions of the Government Information (Public Access) Act 2009 which allows for possible access to certain public and personal documentation. View our privacy statement.

Umina Regional Playspace Renewal

  • Got an extra 5 minutes?

    We’re also asking for your opinion to help redesign Umina’s playspace at the Peninsular Recreation Precinct.

    Click here to provide feedback on the Umina Regional Playspace.