After several rounds of community consultation and input from a Community Reference Group, the plans for the Thomas Street all-abilities, all-ages playground with its castle-and-village theme have been finalised. The new playground will have an exciting range of opportunities for play, exploration and imagination.

Playground designer Ric Mc Conaghy said that the initial concept plans were developed in consultation with the community and were then massaged and changed with further consultation throughout the process:

“I sat down with local children and asked them to draw me their vision. I spoke to parents of children living with disability to really understand their issues. During drop-in consultation sessions in the park, we heard the concerns of neighbours and made adjustments,” explained Ric.

“I feel the final plan is representative of a broad cross-section of the community. You will never be able to please everyone but I feel we got damn close,” said Ric.

The main objective of the playground was that it be truly inclusive and enable children of all abilities to play together.

The playground will include a wide range of activities and equipment that all children, including children in a wheelchair, can enjoy. Wheelchair accessible items include:

• in-ground wheelchair trampolines
• castle – the ground floor includes discovery, communication and dexterity elements
• Swayfun - rocking boat that can accommodate a person in a wheelchair with friends
• carousel
• flying fox (fitted with harness clip)
• sandpit
• musical area – including sound pads in the paving to roll over
• eyrie - ground floor activities
• circuit path
• boardwalk through casuarinas.

The plans also include a 500 metre walking path around the park and a Seniors Exercise Area, supporting Bayside’s commitment to healthy ageing.

The finalised plans will now progress to the design documentation phase. The project will then go to a competitive tender process to select a contractor to demolish the old playground and build the new one. Construction is scheduled to commence in late 2020 and be completed in early- mid 2021.

Go to the main project page for copies of the final plans and updated Frequently Asked Questions.