Soroptimist Park facts for kids

Soroptimist Park is a fun park right by the water in Rowes Bay, Townsville, Australia. It's a special place where kids of all abilities can play and explore.

Fun Things to See and Do

This park has lots of cool stuff for everyone. You'll find big grassy areas perfect for running around. There are also barbecue spots and shady places to relax.

The park has an awesome adventure playground. It was specially designed so that all children, including those with disabilities, can play together.

You can also see some beautiful Australian sculptures here. These were added in 1988 as part of a big celebration called the Australian Bicentenary. This event marked 200 years since the first European settlement in Australia.

Later, in 1994, more public art was added. These are amazing mosaic tile artworks. They were created to celebrate the International Year of the Child.

The idea for Soroptimist Park came from a group called Soroptimist International of Townsville Inc.

How the Park Was Created

The land where Soroptimist Park now stands was set aside in 1979. The plan was to build an adventure playground there in the future.

The Soroptimist International Club Townsville (SIT) wanted to make this park a reality. In 1984, the Australian government started a program called Community Employment Programs (C.E.P.). This program helped create jobs.

The club received $130,000 to develop the park. They worked closely with the local Council’s Parks Department. Because the park was designed to help children with disabilities, donations to the project were tax-free. Also, materials bought for the park did not have sales tax.

Twelve people who were looking for work were hired for the project. These workers included men, women, people with disabilities, and Indigenous Australians. The C.E.P. rules said that no big machines could be used.

A skilled stonemason led the team, and the Soroptimists supervised the work. They planned everything carefully to keep the land's natural feel.

Even the watering system was put in by hand. They also mixed and poured 750 meters of concrete paths by hand. These paths are wide enough for two wheelchairs to pass easily. A special brick line in the middle of the path helps people who can't see very well.

Who Are the Soroptimists?

Soroptimist International is a huge organization for women around the world. These women work in management and other professional jobs.

They help people by doing service projects. Their main goal is to improve human rights and the lives of women. There are over 90,000 members in more than 3,000 clubs. These clubs are in 126 different countries and areas.

Gallery

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  Dusk at Soroptimist Park, Rowes Bay; looking northwards to Cape Pallarenda Conservation Park.

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  Detail of public art sculpture, Soroptimist Park, Rowes Bay, Queensland.

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  Mosaic public art in the park.