Knox Park Master Plan

Share on Facebook Share on Twitter Share on Linkedin Email this link

Consultation has concluded

Council is planning a redevelopment of Knox Park in Murwillumbah, to better establish the park as a social hub for the district.

Planning and designs for the first stage of redevelopment, to create a youth precinct with a new skate park and adventure playground, are well underway and Council is engaging with the community until November 2014 to finalist the designs.

Council has secured a Regional Development Australia Fund grant to design and construct the youth precinct, which will comprise a dedicated public youth space for unstructured recreational, social and leisure activities. It incorporates a plaza-style skate, BMX and scooter

Council is planning a redevelopment of Knox Park in Murwillumbah, to better establish the park as a social hub for the district.

Planning and designs for the first stage of redevelopment, to create a youth precinct with a new skate park and adventure playground, are well underway and Council is engaging with the community until November 2014 to finalist the designs.

Council has secured a Regional Development Australia Fund grant to design and construct the youth precinct, which will comprise a dedicated public youth space for unstructured recreational, social and leisure activities. It incorporates a plaza-style skate, BMX and scooter area and the adventure playground.

Council is consulting with skating experts, young poeple in the area and other local organisations and inviduals about the youth precinct designs, and welcomes feedback from anyone else about the Stage 1 development.

Participate in a survey about the skate park design, send us an email or phone Council's Landscape Architect, Ian Bentley, on (02) 6670 2400 to provide input or find out more about the project.

To help plan the youth precinct as part of the longer-term redevelpment of the entire park, Council is developing a Knox Park Master Plan which went on public exhibition from 22 October 2013 until 20 January 2014.

Click here to find out more about the Knox Park Master Plan exhibition

Knox Park is a community facility close to the Murwillumbah central business district but its outdated structure and aged infrastructure lend themselves to anti-social behaviour that has contributed to a negative reputation and an underutilisation by most of the local community.

The master plan will addresses structural issues that foster anti-social activities and identifies layout improvements which, in combination with new infrastructure, will encourage greater use by locals and visitors.

Consultation has concluded
  • Safety identified as key issue

    Share on Facebook Share on Twitter Share on Linkedin Email this link

    The draft Knox Park Master Plan uses Crime Prevention Through Environmental Design (CPTED) principles to make the park safer, by increasing opportunities for casual surveillance and activating the park by encouraging greater use.

    This is achieved primarily by opening vistas through the park, increasing accessibility, reducing opportunities for concealment and provision of new facilities which will increase visitation. 


  • Many features for proposed upgrade

    Share on Facebook Share on Twitter Share on Linkedin Email this link

    The draft Knox Park Master Plan proposes a number of major elements including:

    An entry plaza with seating and shade at the Brisbane/Wollumbin Street corner - to provide a prominent entry to Knox Park and a welcoming, functional space for residents and visitors. This area could include public art and civic structures such as a clock tower and community notice board. The bus shelters and seating will be upgraded to encourage the use of public transport. The plaza will require the removal of a small number of car parks.

    A boulevard and avenue tree planting extending into the park from the entry plaza. Shaded seating is proposed along the length of a wide and accessible pathway which could accommodate weekend or night markets.

    Relocating the existing playground to the heavily treed area in the centre of Knox Park.

    Constructing a single, centrally located toilet facility. The dated toilet facilities in Brisbane Street and Nullum Street will be demolished and replaced with a modern facility fully compliant with current access requirements.

    An educational wetland and botanical area with signage surrounding the pond to inform the public about the area's ecological design and the environmental benefits. The pond will be reconfigured to allow for access to the central island, along with decking and shelters.

    An adventure playground using existing mature trees for shade and designed to engage children in imaginative play that interacts with the natural surroundings. Play elements will cater for a wide age range, from toddlers to teenagers, in different play areas. Construction of the playground will require selective thinning of existing vegetation and raise the tree canopy to accommodate the facility and provide sight lines through the park.

    Picnic shelters and barbecue facilities next to the adventure playground and an open grassed area for play, to encourage more family and group participation. The plan also allows for a large shelter for community use such as yoga or group meetings.

    A youth precinct skate plaza to replace the dated skate facility, including an events stage and shelter with power and lighting.

    A half basketball court next to the skate plaza, to provide an additional facility for youth, along with informal seating.

    A large central open space for big events such as a travelling circus or World Environment Day. The space links to a permanent stage structure for music or showcase events.

    An entry plaza on the Condong Street - Nullum Street corner, connecting Knox Park to nearby schools and residential areas. This will link to the central spine path and encourage access through the park and increase passive surveillance.

  • Master plan display at River Festival

    Share on Facebook Share on Twitter Share on Linkedin Email this link

    Residents will have a chance to view and discuss the Knox Park Master Plan with Council staff, during a display at the Tweed River Festival on Saturday 9 November 2013.

    This year's Tweed River Festival family day will be staged at Murwillumbah's Budd Park from 3.30pm to 9.30pm, and Council officers will be on hand to discuss the Knox Park Master Plan from 3.30pm to 6.30pm.

  • Skaters drop in to offer their opinions

    Share on Facebook Share on Twitter Share on Linkedin Email this link
    supporting image

    Camel humps, spines, hubbas and a dwarf door are among the suggestions for features at a proposed new skate park at Murwillumbah's Knox Park.

    Many skaters, BMX riders and scooter riders offered their ideas for the facility when a Youth Skate Event was staged at Knox Park's existing skate park on Saturday 3 August.

    Click here to add your comments about the skate park.

    Skateboarding Australia representative Dylan McNamara, St Josephs Youth Service coordinators and Murwillumbah skating identify Tony Lawrence combined with Council's Youth Development Officer, Sylvia Roylance, to stage the event and encourage community feedback about a new skate park and an adventure playground for the central Murwillumbah location.

    "We had a fantastic crowd of young people at the skate park, with many taking advantage of tuition provided by Dylan and enjoying the food and music provided by St Josephs," Ms Roylance said.

    "The feedback we received during the day will be really valuable in designing the skate park and adventure playground."

    An information stand at the event included images about similar parks in Brisbane and the Gold Coast, following a tour by Council officers and Tweed skaters.

    Suggestions for the new skate park also included a large and small bowl, a street section, a foam pit and a euro gap.

    "Participants at last weekend's event provided some well-considered input, with a number of people offering to assist with the planning and upgrade," she said.

    "Planning will continue until the end of January 2014 and we will work with a number of groups and individuals to ensure the skate park and playground meet community needs."