In July an opening was held for a new playground at Cris Fitzpatrick Community Park and the Bond Place kitchen pavilion/outdoor classroom. The new playground is the first stage of Council’s Gagebrook Renewal Project funded jointly by the Australian Government Building Better Regions Fund, the Tasmanian Government, Brighton Council and Centacare Evolve Housing.

The opening was marked by a celebration with kids activities, live music, and food, hosted by Brighton Council in conjunction with Material Institute, Under One Rainbow and Brighton Youth Action Group (BYAG).

Mayor Leigh Gray said “We sincerely thank all of our funding partners for making this possible. I would also like to acknowledge Inspiring Place who designed the new playground and the SLS Landscape Group who did an amazing job with the construction. This new playground and outdoor classroom/kitchen pavilion at Bond Place provide facilities that we can all be proud of, and that provide our families and children in Gagebrook with a place to have fun and enjoy engaging with each other on a day to day basis.”

For those who aren’t aware, Cris Fitzpatrick was an extraordinary community leader whose dedication transformed the lives of many in the Brighton Municipality. Living in public housing with two daughters, Cris understood the challenges faced by her neighbours. Her unwavering commitment to improve their economic, social, and physical environment became her life’s mission. Despite battling cancer, Cris Fitzpatrick remained dedicated to our local area until her passing in January 2004. Her legacy lives on through the Cris Fitzpatrick Community Park, renamed in her honour.