Pioneer Park has opened for 2022 today, despite still recovering from the storms that battered the airport and golf course just days ago. The park, while in the direct line of the storm, came out looking remarkably good, according to maintenance volunteers and crews.
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Ryan Damini, technical co-ordinator at the park, said that they'd seen dirt and gravel wash down the hill and wash out areas of the park, but that they had come out well considering.
"It all ran down from the top of the hill, right down to the bottom ... Being on a hill makes it difficult, but we had volunteers come in and help clean it up. Three buildings were flooded, but they came out to mop and pressure wash so that was really good to see," Mr Damini said.
"It's looking a lot better than it was."
Jenna Thomas is a volunteer who maintains the gardens at Pioneer Park, as well as a member of the new Pioneer Park Community Association. She said that the committee had big plans for the year.
"We're setting priorities now for getting the park back to how it used to be," she said.
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"We're having our first full meeting in January, that's coming up. Right now, [the park] only has one staff member, and he does everything ... there's so much to do, we'd love for more people to get involved if they're interested."
The meeting will include the beginnings of a review into how the facilities are managed, as well as the number of employees currently at the park. Ms Thomas said they were hoping the new council would help prioritise the park's return to it's former glory.
She particularly emphasised promotion of the park to residents and tourists, noting that she'd spoken to people who had been living in Griffith for years who hadn't yet seen the park.
"A lot of people don't know what's up here, it's a bit of a hidden gem."
Ryan Damini particularly cited Ms Thomas as a fantastic volunteer in handling the storm damage.
"She's been very hands-on, it's been great."
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