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 Pennydale Park 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 character of the park.

It will reimagine the current run-down playground, and include:

  • Nature play – play with natural things like logs and rocks
  • Shade sails – to keep cool
  • Paths that are easy to use for everyone
  • Play equipment for all kids – at least half will be easy to use for children with different abilities for toddlers, juniors, and older kids
  • Picnic shelter, BBQs, and water fountains – all will be easy to use (we may repair rather than build new)
  • Better drainage – to stop water from pooling
  • Bigger play area – more space to play
  • Park lights – to make it safe and bright

The design of the playground will be informed by community feedback, available budget and site constraints.

Public toilets and the existing basketball half court is not within the scope of this upgrade.

The budget for the project is around $1 million.

What information do we need from the community?

We’re inviting the community (particularly playground users) and children attending the adjacent kindergarten to select the types of equipment they most want to play on and with at this park.

Following consultation, the final design will be shared with the community, with construction expected in mid-2026.

What can the community influence?

  • Play equipment types
  • Materials
  • Landscaping
  • Shelter upgrade – likely to be refurbished rather than replaced.

What can’t the community influence?

  • Use of area as a playground. This is a designated recreation area.
  • Location of the playground. We will maximise the playground area while protecting existing open space and significant trees and vegetation.
  • Decision to upgrade this playground. This playground is included in our adopted Playground Improvement Plan.
  • Accessibility. At least 50% of equipment will be accessible. This could mean including equipment that may not receive highest general support but is supported by those with disability, or selecting accessible versions of popular equipment.
  • Public toilet.
  • 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

Involve

Immediate local residents

M

M

Involve

Broader Pennydale and Cheltenham

L

M

Consult

Users of the open space or community facilities surrounding the playground, including Olympic Avenue Kindergarten

H

H

Involve

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 images of potential play equipment
  • Signage (with QR codes linking back to the engagement activities) at the playground
  • Flyer (1,600+) letterbox dropped to local residents
  • Three drop-in sessions at the playground
  • Direct engagement with Olympic Avenue Kindergarten
  • 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

Key methods for gathering feedback

  • Online engagement through Have Your Say, including “fund it” equipment preference selection tool and opportunity to ask questions. Tools selected to provide transparent, instant reporting and ease of use for young people.
  • Three drop-in sessions (Wednesday 10 Sept: 3.30pm – 5pm; Thursday 11 Sept: 3.30pm – 5pm; Saturday 13 Sept : 10am – 11.30am) with project team
  • Printed consultation materials, including accessible formats available on request
  • Correspondence with project team.

Project timeline

  • Community consultation – 1 September – 28 September 2025
  • Consideration of community feedback – October 2025
  • Detailed design – A detailed design will be created incorporating feedback from the community.
  • Construction – mid 2026

Decision-making process

The playground design will be developed using feedback from the community – particularly young local residents.

A Project Group, consisting of a cross-functional team of Council officers, evaluates and approves each final design against the objectives in the Playground Improvement Plan. Council will then tender for a playground builder.

Construction of this playground could commence in mid 2026. Unless that are significant impacts to project scope, timing or budget, no formal decision-making by Councillors is anticipated.

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