Armstrong’s District Park is just super

ABOUT 600 children and parents donned their superhero best and headed to Villawood Properties’ new $2.6 million District Park in the Armstrong estate for its official launch on Sunday.

Children were green with envy as young Krish Gupta, dress garbed as The Incredible Hulk, officially cut the ribbon with Villawood executive director Rory Costelloe and Big Bash commentator Mark Howard on hand to officiate.

Captain America, Wonder Woman, Spider-Man, Ninja Turtles, Harley Quinn, Darth Vader and a host of other heroes and villains were present to help as well as eat about 500 sausages cooked by Rotary Club chefs at the park opening.

The Wathaurong’s Norm Stanley staged a smoking ceremony for the occasion, calling on the creator spirit Bunjil and the old spirits to “take care” of the park.

The 2.4-hectare park, located beside the $7.5 million Club Armstrong in Unity Drive, includes a playground with intuitive play areas, a double flying fox, tunnels, a basketball half-court, safe-skate area and table tennis facilities.

Villawood Properties executive director Rory Costelloe told the crowd the park was a great place for kids to “play and use energy” and get away from their iPads and computers.

“Healthy exercise, a good diet and a fun experience keeps them out of mischief and it all works,” he said.

Almost 18 hectares of green open space, parklands and wetlands have now been delivered at Armstrong since October 2012, at a total construction cost of more than $150 million.