The decommissioned Lions Park playground equipment will be relocated overseas as part of the Rotary Overseas Relocated Playgrounds (RORP) program.
Lions Park playground is set to enjoy a second life overseas, thanks to a partnership between Council and Rotary. The Rotary Overseas Relocated Playgrounds (RORP) program rescues decommissioned playgrounds and relocates them to overseas communities in need.
The Lions Park playground equipment will be shipped to one of RORP’s fifteen partner countries, where it will be installed to benefit local children and families without access to safe playgrounds.
Forbes Shire Mayor, Phyllis Miller OAM said the initiative is a win-win for the community. “While the equipment is no longer suitable for reuse in Forbes, we’re proud to partner with Rotary to give it a second life.
Instead of sending it to landfill, this initiative allows children overseas to enjoy quality play experiences that they otherwise would not have,” the Mayor said.
The RORP project has donated over 400 playgrounds from Victoria, South Australia and New South Wales to overseas communities including Timor Leste, the Philippines, Tanzania, Sri Lanka, Nepal, India, South Africa, Cambodia, Philippines, and Papua New Guinea.
The Parkes Rotary Club took on the task of deconstructing and storing the Lions Park equipment until there are enough donations to fill a forty-foot shipping container.
Parkes Rotary Club member, Peter Thompson said the Lions Park equipment will make a real difference. “This is our Club’s first time participating in a playground relocation project and it’s been incredibly rewarding.”
“It takes approximately fourteen playgrounds to fill one shipping container, so we are encouraging our neighbouring councils to join the initiative to help make this possible,” Mr Thompson added.
For more information visit www.forbes.nsw.gov.au/community/grants-and-support/major-projects/lake-activation