Grasmere Children's Park Playground Upgrading Proposal

Feedback closed 11 January 2021

UPDATE 15 JANUARY 2021

Thank you to those who made comment on the proposed refurbishment of Grasmere Children’s Park Playground.

There was extremely strong support for the refurbishment project and the concept of retaining the existing style and character of this much-loved playground.

Comment themes and Council’s responses are listed below.

The project will proceed and work is scheduled for completion in the 2020/21 financial year.

Council apologises in advance for any inconvenience caused during the construction phase, which is likely to commence in May and take approximately 6 weeks. Any further updates will be available on Council's website.

For further information contact Melissa McManus, Landscape Technical Officer on 9936 8100.

BACKGROUND

Grasmere Children’s Park Playground is now due for refurbishment. The existing playground is approximately 18 years old and has been very well-used during this time. The proposed refurbishment will retain most of the existing elements, increase functionality and accessibility and add some smaller new elements where space permits. The refurbishment will be completed in accordance with Council’s Playgrounds Plan of Management and Playgrounds Methodology.

Objectives

To create a refurbished playground that:

• retains the existing leafy, garden character of the playground
• provides a variety of play equipment for a range of ages and abilities, offering inclusive play opportunities
• provides a pleasant environment for parents and carers with an adequate amount of seating positioned to facilitate easy supervision
• provides maximum play value by offering many different types of activities (spinning, swinging, sliding, bouncing, balancing, climbing etc)

Playground Refurbishment Concept

The existing playground layout and facilities have served the community well and have been much-loved. Therefore, the refurbished playground will remain essentially the same. The colour scheme will be retained and any new equipment or materials will be sympathetic to the existing character.

Some play items in this playground have already been replaced such as the spinning cup and the colourful stepping-stones therefore the proposed refurbishment will include the following work (see concept plan/map in the document library):

• replace the existing:
  • two bay swing set with a new triple swing set that includes one accessible swing seat, one strap seat and one adult and child combo seat
  • baby swing with a double baby/toddler scale swing set
  • spring-mounted skateboard with a more accessible spring-mounted rocking chair
  • log roll with a new in-ground wheelchair accessible trampoline (if budget permits)
• refurbish the:
  • main slide and deck structure: clean, paint, replace panels and activities as necessary, add more activities where possible, and relocate or remove the bench seat from the cubby area underneath to increase accessibility for less mobile users & wheelchairs
  • plank bridge, clatter bridge and free-standing activity panels that are set within the garden trail area and embellish all existing gardens
  • spring-mounted rocking horse activity
• expand the play area slightly to incorporate the existing Cape Chestnut Tree and install a custom-designed tree seat around the tree to provide more seating and better tree protection
• add a new, small, single-user, spinning eggcup in the newly expanded area
• add new wet-pour rubber surfacing in high-wear areas such as below slides and swings and to provide an accessible circulation route through the play area.(Care will be taken to minimise new rubber over the roots of existing trees)
• add new landscaping and shade trees in the following locations:
  • adjoining the central path and the proposed new path with these gardens edged with large sandstone blocks to provide additional informal seating.
  • behind the existing seat on western side of Park to provide screening from the street.
  • in and around the ground-level ‘fairy circle’ art/sculpture to provide a more intimate and imaginative play space.
• Install a new bitumen path from the western entrance off Young Street across to the central pathway, including widening of the existing gateway for easier stroller and wheelchair access.
• If budget permits, add a new accessible bubbler and bottle refill station within the Park. Note: the existing bubbler within the playground garden will be retained.
• If budget permits, consideration will be given to replacing the spinning teacup with a ground-level, wheelchair accessible carousel.

The result of this refurbishment should be a cohesive play facility that continues to sit neatly into the surrounding landscape, providing parents and carers with comfortable supervision points and children of all abilities with a safe, stimulating and challenging play-space where they can interact with their friends and enjoy this beautiful parkland setting.

The upgrade is funded by the Australian Government's Local Roads and Community Infrastructure Program.

Note: this project does not include changes to the surrounding parkland, feedback was sought on elements of the play space.

Note: Submissions are considered open access information under the Government Information (Public Access) Act 2009. In the interests of public transparency, submission in its entirety may be made available via Council’s website. Submitters are encouraged to read Council’s Information Sheet: Making a Submission to Council prior to making a submission. All feedback received will be considered, however it is not intended to reply to individual respondents.