By Aaron Cordy
ZIPPING down one of the big slides at KidsTown has been a core memory for locals and visitors since the slides were first installed at the beloved adventure playground. When Council gutted the playground as part of its rehabilitation works before developing a new Master Plan, they removed the slides and flattened the structured mound they sat on, as well as the cow maze.
Disappointed at the state KidsTown has been left in and worried that future generations will not have the same opportunities to explore, climb and create memories as past generations, the Mooroopna Steering Community circulated a petition to install large-scale slides and a maze to replace what was removed.
“Sadly, KidsTown is no longer the pride of the Goulburn Valley. It’s no longer the pride of the area. When it was first created by all our amazing community groups, it was known as the biggest free play park in the Southern Hemisphere. Coming here today, it has no feeling, no enjoyment when you look around. Whereas when it was all built by community for community, it had the love, the passion. Sadly, Shepparton has lost a really big piece of a tourism space and history,” said local business owner Kara Beggs.
Over 1,300 people signed the petition to help restore the playground to its former glory, which was presented to Council on Monday, July 27.
