That’s the message behind a new petition calling on Greater Shepparton City Council to reinstall KidsTown Adventure Park’s iconic giant slides and maze.
Mooroopna Steering Committee chairperson Rowan Farren-Parnell is leading the campaign and said the site’s most recognisable attractions should be prioritised.
Community concern over the five-acre playground’s disrepair in 2025 prompted the committee to begin campaigning for improvements.
In February 2026, council removed damaged and unsafe infrastructure, including the maze and giant slides, and started installing a half basketball court, pickleball court, hopscotch markings and a giant chessboard.
Council said those works were nearing completion and were separate from the KidsTown master plan, which was still being developed.
Mr Farren-Parnell said some community members were disappointed with the direction of the upgrades.
“They want to see more priority put on the big focal points,” he said.
“When people think of KidsTown, it’s the maze and it’s the giant slides that they think of first.
“Preserving that legacy ... is one of the biggest things that we’re passionate about.”
He said while the new sporting facilities would complement KidsTown, the area could have been utilised better.
“While the sports courts might be a nice additional feature, many people say we’ve got enough sports courts,” he said.
Since launching the petition a week ago, Mr Farren-Parnell estimated it had attracted between 300 to 400 signatures.
He said the response reflected the role KidsTown had played in generations of local childhoods, including his own.
“It played such a big role in our childhood and is a connecting thread across generations,” he said.
“There are people who have been coming for years with their kids and now their grandkids, and they all say it’s gone downhill.”
Council acting director of infrastructure Janelle Bunfield said KidsTown was a valued community asset.
“Council is committed to working with the community to ensure future generations can continue to enjoy the facility,” Ms Bunfield said.
“Planning for the future of KidsTown is progressing, with the master plan (concept design) currently being prepared.
“Further consultation with community members and stakeholder groups will be undertaken in the coming months.”
However, council said the completed master plan would then need to be considered for inclusion in the council's 10-Year Capital Works Plan, with delivery dependent on future budgets, funding and capital planning processes.
Mr Farren-Parnell said the petition aimed to capture the community’s opinion in more depth than the council’s scheduled consultations.
“There are a lot of people who don’t have time to put their voices in (at consultations), but they might be able to put a signature down when they go to grab their morning cuppa or get takeaway,” he said.
The petition is available to sign online and at stores across Greater Shepparton, including The Gamer’s Resort, MEAC, Bill & Beat’s and Escape Smash Play.
14°C