Nova Park takes off in Mount Duneed

A NEW space-themed playground has rocketed into Mount Duneed.

Nova Park in the Armstrong Mt Duneed estate was officially launched last weekend with a family fun fair featuring special guests Darth Vader, a Stormtrooper and an astronaut.

Hundreds of children and parents attended the Nectar Drive Court park in the Villawood Properties estate for the opening where they enjoyed food, drinks, slushies, live music, face painting and a live reptiles show as well as the park’s towering rocket slide and other play equipment.

City of Greater Geelong councillor Ron Nelson joined youngsters Isabelle and Grace Tumini and Villawood’s Monique Trajkov and Anthony Bonanno for the opening, but unlike the many children at the launch, Cr Nelson did not venture up the rocket slide for a ride himself.

The new Nova Park is the fifth created by Villawood at Armstrong Mount Duneed and is again aimed at getting children outside and active.

“Getting their heart rate up helps reduce the massive strain on the public health system caused by diseases such as asthma, allergies and obesity,” Villawood executive director Rory Costelloe said.

“Villawood knows the lure of iPads, online games, Xbox consoles, mobile phones and computers is strong.

“So we design and builds outdoor playgrounds, big and small, that are fun enough and challenging enough to draw kids away from potential digital dangers.”