The Warners Bay Foreshore is a major recreational drawcard for Lake Macquarie, and a popular stop-off point on a shared pathway that runs from Eleebana to Boolaroo and Booragul.
Lake Macquarie City Council refreshed the area with new plazas, extended gardens, viewing areas, a fitness trail and sculpture walk.
Visitors can meet at the first artwork, ‘Beach Blossom,’ at Eleebana Lions Park, and walk or ride a bicycle, stopping off at sculptures on the way to the Lake Macquarie City Art Gallery.
Artworks on the trail include a flying pig, a Buddhist monk, a mauve bust of Charles Darwin and a hooded figure surveying the view across the lake.
The foreshore is furnished with seating and tables designed not only to look good and provide comfort for users, but also to minimise maintenance and whole-of-life costs for Council.
Two types of battens have been used to provide a warm timber look, with enhanced enduring properties:
- Tailored Modwood battens are made from a wood composite of recycled timber and plastic, and
- Woodgrain aluminium battens have a textured timber-look powdercoat finish.
These materials need less care than timber, requiring only the occasional wipe down, reducing the Council’s labour spend while presenting an enduring high quality look and finish under the hot, sunny conditions of the waterfront.
Complementing the artworks, sculptural Arc Seats feature custom Modwood battens and frames powdercoated in enigmatic Night Sky.
Mall Sun Lounges provide relaxing spots to enjoy lake views and have a rest, fitted with battens in woodgrain aluminium Bush Cherry and frames in Night Sky.
Visitors to a new table tennis installation can watch the action from Mall Seats, also dotted around the park and featuring Bush Cherry and Night Sky.
Completing the suite are settings of Mall Tables and Mall Slim Benches, accessible for wheelchairs, with the tables in Bush Cherry and benches in a custom woodgrain colour.
The upgrade is part of an extensive program of works by Council to improve the city’s parks and recreational areas. The foreshore attracts some 500 people each Friday night for family-friendly music concerts, and 1000 people use the shared path and cycleway every day.
Monk sculpture by Naidee Changmoh, at the start of the foreshore area.
Sun Lounges in pairs face the view.
Two Arc Seats, installed side-by-side, provide a sculptural place to rest.
