Dennington children help Warrnambool mayor Michael Neoh (left) and Dennington Community Association's David Kelson celebrate the opening of the new playground.
THE new playground and barbecues at Payne Reserve in Dennington got quite a workout at the official opening on Sunday.
More than five years have transpired since the idea of revamping the reserve was first floated and it’s more than three months since it was completed.
Since then, the Dennington Community Association, which created the playspace in conjunction with city council and state government funding, have seen their hard work pay off already, association president David Kelson said.
“There’s seldom a day when you come past and there’s no one here,” he said.
Mr Kelson said the reserve — which now features a sheltered barbecue area, a playground, a basketball/netball half court and toilet facilities — was popular with tourists looking for a place to break their drive.
“You see a lot of people driving through call in to use the toilets and have lunch. And after school and kinder most days there are people using the playground.”
About 50 people, including Warrnambool mayor Michael Neoh, attended the official opening yesterday.
Mr Kelson estimated 550 volunteer hours went into building the barbecue shelter.