Imaginations take flight for adventure name comp

WHAT would you name the new $2.6 million adventure playground at Armstrong Mount Duneed?

Villawood Properties is calling on the community to come up with possible names for the super-park, which opened last month at a large community fair that drew 600 people.

One suggestion has come from Wathaurong elder Norm Stanley, who staged a smoking ceremony at the opening and who was keen to perpetuate traditional links to the land.

“There’s a large sculpture of a wedge-tailed eagle at the entrance and there are families of eagles that have lived in this area,” Mr Stanley said.

“The old gums in the park are just the kind of trees they nested in. As the wedge-tailed eagle represents the creator spirit Bunjil, I think the park could be named Bunjil’s Nest.”

Villawood is keen for community-suggested names to be backed with evidence of why they are appropriate – be it connection to place, historical evidence, community support or other reasons.

Place-name authority lies with the local council, which takes into account connection to and history of the place. It is favourable to indigenous names. Names should not duplicate others in the area, or be discriminatory or commercial.

The ultimate park name would be made by the council.

The new adventure park is a sprawling affair over 2.4 hectares, located beside the $7.5 million Club Armstrong. It includes intuitive play areas, tactile and sensory adventure activities such a flying fox and tunnels, a basketball half-court, safe-skate area and table tennis facilities.

The park was designed for Armstrong residents, and the wider community, to engage through play and activity.

“We’d like to engage the community in naming the park because it’s a community facility and we’d like its users to feel it’s really theirs,” Villawood Properties executive director Rory Costelloe said.

“We believe this park will provide an incredible space to really ignite the imagination of our junior residents.”

Email your suggestion for the park’s name to [email protected].