Project objective
From Brighton to Beaumaris, we’re upgrading all 61 playgrounds around the municipality. The program is guided by Bayside’s Playground Improvement Plan.
Each year, Council seeks input from the community on how they would like to see playground(s) in their area improved or upgraded.
We consult with the users of our playgrounds: the children and young people of Bayside, as well as local residents and clubs/groups. The feedback we receive helps develop a detailed design for construction.
We aim to provide playgrounds that:
- offer and encourage play experiences that promote independence for people of all abilities
- are sympathetic to the surrounding area and neighbourhood
- maintain a connection to nature
- use natural materials where possible
- are easily and safely accessible along footpaths and trails
- can be reached via safe road and rail crossing points
- promote intergenerational use
- adhere to all relevant Australian Safety Standards
- provide a connection to the community.
- site context
- level of dependence upon the park locally
- provision for different ages and abilities
- general level of amenity, shade, paths, seating and accessibility of social spaces
- variety of types of activity - movement versus static - imaginative/role play/creative play - presence of vegetation, natural elements and loose materials - degree of challenge - degree of open ended-ness
- how the playground complements the neighbouring reserves
We engage the community ahead of all major playground upgrades to ensure the design meets local needs. Feedback is considered in line with available budget, site constraints, and recommendations of the Playground Improvement Plan.
Project impacts
We are upgrading the Cheltenham Recreation Reserve playground to create a fun, inclusive and nature-connected play space for children of all ages.
This district-level playground will serve a growing local community and reflect the distinctive character of the reserve. The design considers the broader passive recreation area and its connection to the rest of the reserve.
It will reimagine the current run-down playground, and incorporate existing features of local significance, including:
- Installing the relocated Cheltenham Station down building, which will provide shaded seating and views over the playground and sportsground.
- Restoring the historic steamroller, which will be integrated into the play space.
- Creating new seating and landscaping.
- Improving accessibility to encourage experiences that promote independence for people of all abilities.
- Use of natural materials to encourage an enhanced connection with nature.
- Planting indigenous plants to enhance biodiversity
Early concept designs, which are the focus on community engagement, include a custom treehouse inspired by ewoks, misted water play, a climbing tower with slide, spinner bowl, spring rockers, sand play and two swing sets — including one designed to challenge older children.
Public toilets and car parking are not within the scope of this upgrade, though these elements have been considered in design planning to support future improvements.
The budget for the project is $935,000.
What information do we need from the community?
We’re inviting the community (particularly playground users) to tell us what they think about our proposed design, such as overall sentiment, which equipment they are most excited to play on and any ideas to improve the design.
While this site is highly constrained with significant vegetation and local heritage elements, we will take all feedback into consideration. Following consultation, the final design will be shared with the community, with construction expected in late 2025.
What can the community influence?
- Play equipment: layout, positions, type
- Materials
- Landscaping
- BBQ/picnic facilities
What can’t the community influence?
- Inclusion of steamroller. The steam roller has been a feature of this playground and will remain but changed/updated to encourage active play.
- Relocation and use of Cheltenham down station building. We have external funding from LXRA to incorporate this structure into the design. This structure will provide shade within the playground.
- Use of area as a playground. This is a designated recreation area.
- Location/expansion of playground footprint. This playground has been expanded to the maximum area while protecting existing significant trees and vegetation.
- Decision to upgrade this playground. This playground is included in our adopted Playground Improvement Plan.
- Public toilet upgrade. The existing public toilet is not within the scope of the playground upgrade.
- Project timeframe.
- Budget to deliver this project.
Stakeholders and community
This stakeholder assessment is a generalised understanding of sections of the community that have a connection to the project or matter. This information is used to understand the types of tools and techniques that will achieve the strongest and most effective outcomes for engagement and communication.
- Impact: What level of change the stakeholder / community segment may experience as a result of the project / matter
- Interest: What level of interest has been expressed or is anticipated
- Influence: Reference to the IAP2 Spectrum
| Stakeholder / community | Impact | Interest | Influence |
| Playground users, considering children and their parents/guardians | H | H | Consult |
| Immediate local residents | M | M | Consult |
| Broader Cheltenham and Beaumaris residents | L | M | Consult |
| Users of the open space or community facilities surrounding the playground, including; | H | H | |
| M | M | Consult |
| M | M | Consult | |
| M | M | Consult | |
| People with disability, including Disability Access and Inclusion Advisory Committee | L | M | Consult |
| Local early years providers, including schools | L | M | Consult |
Selected tools and techniques
The tools and techniques selected for this project are informed by the project content, stakeholders and type of feedback sought.
Key tools for communicating the project
- Have Your Say project page including interactive map of the proposed design
- signage (with QR codes linking back to the engagement activities) at the playground
- Flyer (800+) letterbox dropped to local residents
- Two drop-in sessions at the playground
- Social media, especially 'sponsored' posts to increase audience reach
- Council website news stories
- Council's e-newsletter This Week in Bayside
- Email notification to Have Your Say registered members, playground project subscribers and key stakeholders.
- Council's e-newsletter This Week in Bayside.
Key methods for gathering feedback
- Online engagement through Have Your Say, including quick poll, equipment preference selection tool, ideas board, and opportunity to ask questions. Tools selected to provide transparent, instant reporting and ease of use for young people.
- Two drop-in sessions morning of 19 and 26 July with project team
- Printed survey and consultation materials, including accessible formats available on request
- Correspondence with project team.
Project timeline
- Community consultation – 14 July – 10 August 2025
- Consideration of community feedback – August 2025
- Detailed design – A detailed design will be created incorporating feedback from the community.
- Construction – Late 2025 - early 2026
- Decision-making process
