Douglas Shire Council will be upgrading both playgrounds in Cooya Beach in the month of May.
The play equipment at both Lou Prince Park and Jims Holdsworth Park in Bougainvillea Street, is nearing the end of its service life. The existing equipment will be removed and replaced with new apparatus.
The sand is being removed and replaced with new soft-fall surfacing. Most serious playground injuries happen when children fall from equipment onto the ground, not from the equipment itself. While sand can comply with Australian Standards, it must be kept at precise depths and once it compacts, or mixes with dirt, its impact‑absorbing ability drops significantly. Softfall surfaces provide consistent, certified fall‑height protection without relying on loose material depth.
Sand is also labour‑intensive to maintain, requiring frequent raking, topping‑up, cleaning, and edge containment. Softfall stays at a consistent thickness and typically lasts 8–15+ years with minimal intervention.
Council is also aiming for a more inclusive design. Sand is difficult or impossible for wheelchairs, walkers, prams, and mobility aids, creating barriers for carers and children with disabilities. Softfall provides a firm, even, wheelchair‑accessible surface.
Closure details:
- The Bougainvillea Street playground replacement will commence Friday 15 May. The park re-opened on Saturday 23 May.
- The Lou Prince Park play equipment replacement will commence Tuesday 2 June. The playground will be closed for approximately 11 days.
See below images of the completed hand rails in stage one.
