FAMILIAR faces Thomas and Nova Carias-Cox of Sunnyboy Kiosk at Dixon Park Beach will be behind the counter of a new operation at Foreshore Park.
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The pair grew up working in their family business and run three Morning Market Coffee locations in Whitebridge, Newcastle West and Warners Bay along with their Dixon Park spot.
Scheduled to open in January, the Foreshore Park kiosk will be called Sunnyboy Park, offering a family-friendly menu, including fish and chips, hamburgers, sandwiches, ice-creams, refreshments and coffee.
Mr Carias-Cox said they're genuinely excited to take on the "special space in an incredible location", which he said will be made even better when the new inclusive playground opens later next year.
"We love the idea of creating a relaxed, welcoming spot where families can spend time, kids can play and everyone can enjoy great food and coffee in the heart of the park," he said.
"We're really looking forward to becoming part of the foreshore community and bringing this space to life."
Work is almost finished on the new kiosk and accessible public toilets, which are scheduled to open late January.
A free community event will be held to celebrate the milestone on January 31. There will be family-friendly activities, live music, treats and coffee.
City of Newcastle Asset Advisory Committee chair councillor Declan Clausen said the new facilities will enhance the experience of visiting Newcastle's premier city park and major events space.
"The Harbour Foreshore is a major drawcard for Novocastrians and visitors from across the region and beyond," he said.
"Our adopted masterplan was guided by feedback from the community and represents a shared vision for this precinct, which will activate and connect public spaces between the city and the harbour's edge.
"As the first project to be delivered under the masterplan, the completion of the new kiosk and accessible amenities will be a key milestone in City of Newcastle's ongoing revitalisation of this area, providing a more convenient, comfortable and accessible experience for those visiting Foreshore Park."
The new amenities building is next door to Foreshore Park's new regional level accessible playspace and waterplay area, which is under construction and expected to be completed late next year.
It includes unisex ambulant toilets, a parents' change room, and a Changing Places facility that provides suitable facilities for people who cannot use standard accessible toilets.
A concrete table and bench seating, along with low concrete walls, provide a mix of formal and informal seating options while a new footpath will connect the space with existing footpaths in Foreshore Park.
The projects are supported by the state government, Variety the Children's Charity, the Touched by Olivia Foundations and the Newcastle Port Community Contribution Fund.
Newcastle MP Tim Crakanthorp said the state government was committed to backing projects that provided better public spaces for the community.
"Foreshore Park is a fantastic community space both for major events and for everyday enjoyment," he said.
"These new amenities will provide high-quality, accessible public infrastructure for all Novocastrians to use.
"It is great to see the new kiosk fall into the hands of local operators and I can't wait to grab a bite to eat at Sunnyboy Park."
Madeline Link
Madeline Link is a born and bred Novocastrian who started her career as a journalist in the New England North West in 2016. She is an experienced council and court reporter, former deputy editor of the Northern Daily Leader and two-time Kennedy Award finalist. In unrelated incidents, she previously reported on country music in Australia's country music capital and was once flung across Lake Macquarie in a power boat at more than 100 kilometres per hour. Maddie now works at the Newcastle Herald with a focus on Newcastle council. To keep up with my stories, follow my X @madeline_link, for tips email madeline.link@newcastleherald.com.au.
