New ecotherapy park opens in romsey

An Andrews Labor Government backed and community-led nature park in Romsey is now open for locals and visitors to enjoy, boosting wellbeing and encouraging more tourism.

Member for Macedon Mary-Anne Thomas today officially opened the Romsey Ecotherapy Park, supported by a $1.53 million investment from the Labor Government.

The community-driven project created up to 12 jobs during construction and is expected to create flow-on opportunities for local businesses through increased visitation to the area.

The free public park has been developed in a former schoolyard with artworks and other elements designed to engage all senses and promote health and wellbeing.

The park is the result of more than a decade of work driven by Romsey Ecotherapy Park Inc., a local group who came together with the idea to develop a park to provide locals an opportunity to gather, play and experience art and culture all in one place.

The group contributed funding to the project through fundraising activities and also contributed to the park’s design. The park incorporates themed areas targeting different types of activities for all ages and abilities.

An arts and culture area within the park will host music, performance and community events to encourage more visitors to stop and stay in the Macedon Ranges.

Featured art throughout the park includes sound sculptures by Anton Hassell who created Melbourne’s Federation Bells, a kinetic wind sculpture and a carved wooden Storytelling Chair.

Sensory and nature-focused elements include water features, garden beds, a climbing forest for older children and sheoak plantings creating a rambling nature trail for all ages.

The project’s construction was supported through a $615,000 grant from the Regional Infrastructure Fund while $718,000 was provided as an election commitment in 2018.

The Labor Government also invested $200,000 to deliver the park’s Climbing Forest through Pick My Project.

Support for the park is a key part of our Labor Government’s record investment of $36 billion in rural and regional Victoria since 2015.

Quotes attributable to Member for Macedon Mary-Anne Thomas
"It’s fabulous to see this important community-driven project become a reality, giving locals a beautiful new space in which to connect with each other and with nature and attracting visitors from further afield."

"We’re excited to be able to support this new public park that will benefit the community’s wellbeing and the local economy."