ANNA Bay may look like it lacks a little love but residents of the area are keen to see improvements.

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Not the least of which is they are pitching for an all abilities Regional Park for Anna Bay.

Coral Kearins spoke passionately at the July Council Meeting to gain support and funding for the project.

The vision is clear, the park will have passive and active play areas and will help alleviate the need for recreational space created by the manufactured home villages which are currently being developed in the area.

Coral Kearins said, “This will be a park that we will visit again and again, bringing happiness and harmony to the community.”

In her presentation Coral shared success stories of other councils to gain significant funding for regional parks including Muswellbrook and Port Macquarie.

She believes that an all abilities Regional Park at Anna Bay will assist in building social cohesion and that the park could be funded through the Regional Growth Fund.

Councillor Doohan addressed the elephant in the room asking the costs of the proposed park which will run somewhere between $5-6 million.

Councils position on the possibility of the park was that they would need to invest significant funds in the region of $30,000 to $40,000 to make an application for funding.

While some 250 submissions from the public have been attained on what the public would like in a Regional Park at Anna Bay.

Ideas as diverse as night telescopes to engage in viewing the clear night skies which are enjoyed in Port Stephens have been put forward for the park.

Councillor Sarah Smith spoke for the park citing the positive benefits for tourism and economic development as well as the obvious benefits for local youth.

The 1.7 hectare site that the community is proposing for the park may require clarification on ownership.

Council have committed to bring a plan forward to potentially undertake the development of the park in stages.

By Marian SAMPSON