AusLeisure

In a trial allowing families and communities greater access to green space, schools across NSW are opening for the public to access their outdoor facilities outside of school hours every day of the week.

This trial, conducted in 11 schools across the state, will open up school sports fields, sports courts and playgrounds for the public to use for personal and recreational use, giving people access to space that has been denied for many years.

Participating schools include:

• Kogarah High School
• Bardwell Park Infants School
• Delegate Public School
• Hernani Public School
• Kambora Public School
• Manly West Public School
• Menindee Central School
• Roseville Public School
• Seaforth Public School
• Strathfield Girls High School
• Teralba Public School

The NSW Government’s existing shared spaces program already opens up almost 200 schools’ outdoor facilities during school holidays for public use, however, it does not permit the opening of ovals outside of school holidays.

Unlocking this extra green space outside of school hours is especially important at a time when the state government is encouraging more young people to get off their devices and to get active, following the introduction of mobile phone bans in schools and social media restrictions championed by the NSW Government.

Kogarah High School is one of the schools opening its sports field for community access as part of this trial, following a recent upgrade.

The sport field, which had been shared between the school and the public outside of school hours for decades until this was ended under the former government, has been upgraded to provide students and the community with a safer environment to learn, play and exercise in.

Fencing has been replaced on several sides of the field to improve safety and access to residents, and two new stair entrances and an access ramp and gate have been installed to improved accessibility.

The sport field will be open to the public from 4pm to 8pm Monday to Friday, and 8am to 8pm on weekends. During school holidays, it will be open to the public from 8am-8pm every day.

A full list of schools taking part in the Share Our Space program, including the trial, can be accessed here. 

Image. Roseville Public School outdoor space. Credit: Court Craft

Related Articles

10th April 2018 - NSW Government commits to opening school sports fields and playgrounds for community use

15th December 2017 - NSW school playgrounds and sportsfields to open for public use over summer holidays

2nd March 2010 - Queensland School Grounds to become Public Open Space?

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