Boddington’s Hotham Park named WA Park of the Year, with council in the running for a national Tidy Town gong

The Shire of Boddington’s Hotham Park has been named WA’s Park of the Year — and the local council is also in the running for a national Tidy Towns award to be presented next month. Boddington’s Hotham Park project received the overall Park of the Year title at the 2022 Parks and Leisure WA Awards on May 26, after winnings its category for a play space over $500,000. Shire chief executive Julie Bishop said the award recognised the hard work of many people involved in the project. “The community have appreciated the quality and positive outcomes of the space, and it is fantastic to see it being recognised at the State awards as Park of the Year,” she said. Hotham Park was officially opened in March last year, featuring a skate park, pump track, exercise equipment, sports courts and nature playground. “The park is a space that integrates quiet river foreshore spaces with challenging nature play, flying fox, skate park, pump track, sports court and a fitness hub,” Ms Bishop said. “It provides facilities for local residents and visitors to enjoy against the backdrop of the stunning Hotham River and the community parkland has been designed to reconnect the town with the water. “The precinct also features impressive public art, including a mosaic wall created by members of the local mosaic group, featuring over 50 species of local flora and fauna.” Last month, the Boddington RRR group won the State Government Waste Authority’s 2022 Community Waste Award for their community recycling initiative which repurposes waste plastic into local artwork and park benches. The shire is also a WA finalist in the national 2022 Tidy Towns Australian Sustainable Communities Awards. The nomination comes after Boddington won the top prize at the 2021 WA Tidy Towns awards in December. “It is another great achievement by our town that showcases the depth and breadth of the good things that are happening in Boddington,” Ms Bishop said. “Irrespective of whether Boddington takes out the overall award, the community will win through the sharing of knowledge that occurs with all communities involved, contributing many ideas to continue to improve our towns sustainability goals. “Tidy Towns awards recognise initiatives that focus on environmental and community outcomes including waste reduction and overall wellbeing. “The members of the community involved in the projects that make up the submission, are largely volunteers, and are passionate and dedicated people who have Boddington’s future at heart.” The other towns competing for the top honour are Singleton in NSW, Ltyentye Apurte in the Northern Territory, Kimba in South Australia, King Island in Tasmania and Horsham in Victoria. “The town is very fortunate to have such a large contingent of dedicated residents who epitomise what it means to be a positive contributor to their town,” shire president Garry Ventris said. “It is without doubt, the community spirit, passion and commitment of these volunteers who have led to Boddington being a national finalist.”