The city’s council yesterday received $300,000 from the NSW government which will be combined with its $51,887 to build the play area at the National Foresters Grove on Wagga Road.

“We need young people out and about, not on their iPads and their phones,” Cr Mack said.

“We need young people out in those spaces being active and being healthy.”

Albury MLA Greg Aplin, who announced the state funding, said the play area would include a basketball court and had the support of foresters and service clubs.

“It will become the envy of many, it will be the biggest one in the northern part of our city,” Mr Aplin said.

Cr Mack confirmed only Oddies Creek playground, opened in 2011, would outrank the grove development.

“It is of a similar build to Oddies Creek,” he said.

“(Foresters Grove) has not been that user friendly for young people and certainly having that out there will attract families...and give Lavington that space they require to grow their community.”

The same country communities fund has provided Federation Council with $596,672 for works at Corowa’s Bangerang Park, Mulwala’s Purtle Park and Howlong’s Lowe Square.

New playgrounds are earmarked for all sites.

The council also received $371,041 to extend the Corowa bike path through the town’s common.