BREAKING NEWS Folley on the river's edge

Albeit that this park has sort of been opened a couple of times already  Riverbend Park will be officially opened on Saturday, August 17, with a free community event. Hang on a minute, the community has already stumped up the money for the event so any claim that it is FREE needs to be challenged.

The new all-abilities park has transformed a former industrial precinct into a major new recreational area for Launceston, funded by the City of Launceston and the State and Federal Governments. Trouble is, the overspend is going to trickle down in Launcestonians’ rate demands for quite a while yet. So be careful with your accolades.

Launceston Mayor Albert van Zetten said the opening of Riverbend Park would be an exciting day for families. "Launceston will now have a fantastic recreational link all the way from the Cataract Gorge to Riverbend Park where families can run, play, cycle, or just take a walk," Mayor van Zetten said. Yep, and they’ll be able to wonder as they wander just how much of their rate demand for the next little while will be needed to pay for it.

After that they’ll be able to watch the water level rise at the park’s edge as THE CLIMATE EMERGENCY Council has just declared kicks in.

OH YES, if you dig down a little bit you'll be able watch the tide go in and out of the hole you dig and that is really something. It is a cruel, cruel world.

IN THE EXAMINER Launceston's most anticipated park has an official opening date. After months of waiting and budget blowouts, the City of Launceston council is ready to open Riverbend Park........... A community event will be held on August 17 from 10am, with a free barbecue, basketball activities, face painting and a visit from the Hawthorn Football Club mascots. .......... The park is divided into four zones including the River Play area, Gorge Play area, Wild Core area, and the Urban Plaza...........A range of play equipment and experiences are located in each zone, including swings, diggers, sand pits, a wheelchair carousel, a water-play area, musical instruments, outdoor table tennis, see-saws and a full-size sports court........... The park's largest attractions are undoubtedly the Sky Walk and the 'confluence net', two of the largest pieces of play equipment in Australia........... Mayor Albert van Zetten said the opening would be an exciting day for families........... "The park itself is larger in area than even City Park, and I think children - and indeed adults - are going to have fantastic fun exploring all it has to offer," he said .......... "I have already had the pleasure of climbing the Sky Walk, and while it may not be for the faint of heart, the views are spectacular." .......... RELATED STORIES: Riverbend Park nears completion Park opening pushed back 'We don't want to keep them waiting': Riverbend Park opening date pushed to late-July Riverbend Park expected to open by end of June Many hands make bright work on Riverbend Park mural Riverbend Park budget increases by millions Cr van Zetten expects the opening to be a very busy day. .......... "we encourage as many people as possible to take advantage of the pedestrian and cycling routes to the site," he said. .......... "We'd especially like to thank the children of Launceston for being patient with us while we've worked through some pretty ordinary weather conditions.".