The popular playground on North Steyne Reserve at Manly Beach, enjoyed by both locals and visitors, has now been named the Jean Hay AM Playground in honour of Manly's longest-serving Mayor.

The official naming was carried out this week with Mrs Hay joined by her family to celebrate this fitting acknowledgement.

Mrs Hay was first elected to Manly Council in 1987. She served 3 Mayoral terms from 1999 to 2004, 2008 to 2012 and 2012 to 2016, making her the longest ever serving Mayor of Manly.

Mrs Hay has been awarded several accolades over her lifetime including the Member of the Order of Australia (AM) for ‘service to the Manly community through local government.’

She also received the Centenary Medal for ‘outstanding services as mayor and councillor of Manly’ 2001 and the NSW Ministers’ Award for Women in Local Government, 2010. 

Over her more than 50 years of service to the people of Manly, Mrs Hay’s achievements include beautifying Manly’s ocean front walkways and establishing the Manly Pathway of Olympians and Paralympians, as well as the transformation of the Manly Andrew Boy Charlton Aquatic Centre and supporting many community projects including the establishment of Bear Cottage and supporting groups such as the Sunnyfield Associaiton.

The playground is open all year round and includes a Liberty Swing for wheelchair users, pod swing, play structure with slides and accessible carousel.