A $500,000 State Government grant will contribute to development of a new $1.5 million adventure play area in Apex Park.

Minister for Regional Development Jaclyn Symes announced the funding on Wednesday, with the Rural City of Wangaratta project one of 35 in rural and regional communities across Victoria set to share in more than $16 million from the Regional Infrastructure Fund.

The projects are all aimed at improving liveability and attracting more residents and visitors to towns, and that is just what the new play area will do for Apex Park, according to Rural City of Wangaratta Mayor Dean Rees.