The park is being created within Junction Square in central Wodonga with the installation this week of a water tank and stand, reminiscent of the tanks used to fill steam trains at the former railway site, a major feature of the $1.13 million project.

But the tank won’t be used for storage purposes.

Wodonga Council is delivering Richardson Park for the railway land developers, Station 73, and Development Victoria with the federal government bankrolling the bulk of the project with an allocation of $950,000.

“Works at Richardson Park are on track with the space due to be open prior to Christmas with some water play elements to be completed in the new year,” Wodonga’s planning and infrastructure director Leon Schultz said.

“An interactive sculpture by Xavier Pinard, whose works feature across the region, consisting of a horse and climbing bars like a set of cow’s horns symbolising a herd of cattle due to be installed later this week.

“A reference to the Wodonga saleyards which was situated in the area, the pieces will offer various climbing, tunnelling and cubby spaces for imaginary play and will complement the water play which will move through the site.

“Paving works are continuing with in-ground electrical and irrigation works nearing completion.

“We expect shade, plantings and grass to be under way towards the end of the month.”

The original Richardson Park was located on the southern side of Elgin Boulevard and named in honour of the late Bob Richardson, who was a councillor and shire president in the 1930s.

The Richardson family were also prominent players in the Wodonga cattle industry with a set of saleyards once located nearby on the Wodonga Plaza site.

Wodonga Council has tried without success for almost a decade to sell the former Richardson Park land and the old Stanley Street pool site with the area being marketed as CBD West.