NEWCASTLE council has released revised concepts for its Foreshore Park master plan, increasing the size of an inclusive playground and maintaining an existing community garden.
The updated proposal released on Friday followed more than 1000 submissions from the community about the previous plan put on exhibition in February.
It had proposed moving a community garden, but the council later committed to leaving it where it is.
The fresh concepts show an additional 4000 square metres of play space with extra picnic areas and trees.
The council has increased the size of a fenced accessible playground, a waterplay space, a cultural heritage walk that links back to Newcastle's Indigenous heritage, and made improvements along Wharf Road and the parallel Tug Berth Lane, including additional trees.
A "tree grove" also links two open spaces, which will be used for events including Supercars, dubbed The Grove and The Commons.
Lord mayor Nuatali Nelmes said the council would begin work on the giant playground in the next two years.
"In direct response to the community's feedback, revisions to the concept for Foreshore Park include the relocation of the inclusive Variety Livvi's Place play space and adjoining amenities, and provision for a multi-purpose roller-skating, scooting and performing arts area," she said.
"We've also developed a concept plan to turn the Wharf Road precinct into a world-class harbourside esplanade. We are doing this by improving the Joy Cummings promenade, parklands, connecting pathways and cycling infrastructure."
Green councillor John Mackenzie said the tremendous response to the initial plan informed key changes.
"This plan has been vastly improved by the involvement of the community through the reference panel and the more than 1000 submissions ... on the first draft," he said.
"We've seen the retention and now the permanent securing of the Sandhills Community Garden. That's a garden that has been established and maintained by volunteers for 14 years. We've had changes to the location of the playground closer to the car park."
The inclusive playground, to be known as "Variety Livvi's Place", is being delivered in partnership with Variety the Children's Charity.
It received a $500,000 grant from the Newcastle Port Community Contribution Fund, along with $300,000 from the NSW government's Everyone Can Play grant program.
Variety's Kim Becherand said redevelopments for passive recreation and play like Foreshore Park were essential to creating inclusive communities across Australia.
"At Variety we believe that all kids deserve to experience the joy and benefits of play," she said. "Working together with the kids, families and community of Newcastle we have created a bespoke play space that pushes the boundaries of what an inclusive play space can be."
The revised concepts can be viewed on council's website and will form part of a draft master plan to be exhibited later this year.
