One of Douglas Shire’s premier and most popular community spaces will stay green all year round thanks to a new irrigation system being installed as part of a series of upgrades at Rex Smeal Park and Little Cove.
Douglas Shire Council will undertake the improvement works in early March to enhance amenity, accessibility and long‑term use of these much‑loved public areas.
Mayor Lisa Scomazzon said the upgrades would support the park’s role as a key gathering place for locals and visitors.
“Rex Smeal Park is the premier destination for community events, weddings and celebrations in Port Douglas,” she said.
“It will be wonderful to see it looking lush all year round, especially through the dry season when the grass can really struggle.”
Works will begin the week commencing 2 March and are expected to take approximately three to four days. Improvements include:
- Installation of a new irrigation system
- Feature lighting in the fig tree
- Underground conduits and power supplies for future lighting
- Installation of a garden entrance at Little Cove
- Extension of the boardwalk to improve access to the wheelchair‑accessible toilet
Mayor Scomazzon said the boardwalk project was an important step toward creating a more inclusive and accessible public space.
“The boardwalk extension will make it much easier for people with mobility challenges to access the wheelchair‑accessible toilet and move comfortably through the space.”
For public safety, the immediate works area will be fenced off and operate as a construction site. The playground, barbecues, public toilets and boardwalk access (outside the works zone) will remain open throughout the project.
