St Leonards Park Playground Refurbishment

Feedback closed 5 December 2021

The St Leonards Park Landscape Masterplan (2018) identified a series of improvements for St Leonards Park that have been implemented over time as funding has become available. Council allocated funding for the investigations, consultation, design, improvement and an expansion of the existing playground in the 2021/22 budget. 

Between 3 November and 5 December 2021, the detailed concept plan based on the recommendations presented in the Landscape Masterplan was presented to the community for consultation. A summary of submissions is presented via a table in the Community Consultation Outcomes Report, available in the Document Library. 

It was proposed that the existing playground will be upgraded and expanded to the west of the current site, providing opportunities for older children’s adventure play area, along with areas for nature play in the integrated garden spaces. 

The existing playground layout and facilities has served the community well and is much-loved. Therefore, the existing junior playground will remain within its current boundaries and a new extension to the west will be dedicated for children 12 years and older. 

 The objectives of the proposed playground improvement aim to create a refurbished and expanded 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, climbing, sliding, bouncing, balancing, climbing etc.)

Council received six submissions during the exhibition period. All submissions expressed support for the proposed playground upgrade. Feedback was received on six subjects:

1. safety and access
2. new play equipment
3. new park furniture
4. undersurfacing
5. shade and shelter
6. general feedback

A summary of submissions is presented via a table in the Community Consultation Outcomes Report, available in the Document Library. Based on the submissions, Council will proceed with the implementation of the proposed upgrade.

Thank you for participating in the community consultation, Council will proceed to the quotation stage and implementation of works in the coming weeks.

Background

Existing Junior Playground Refurbishment

The existing playground layout and facilities have served the community well and have been much-loved. Therefore, the existing junior playground will remain within its current boundaries and the new extension to the west will be dedicated for children 12 years and older. Read further details in the Design Overview  or view the concept plans (see Document Library).

Proposal for Older Kids Playground 

During the community consultation for the St Leonards Park Landscape Masterplan (2018) it was suggested that the existing junior play area is expanded to accommodate facilities for children 12 years or older and that a diverse range of play opportunities is created for all park users.

The expanded playground is inspired by the habitat of the park. Existing trees with hollows and nests scattered throughout St Leonards Park served as the inspiration for the playground concept. This inspiration was also carried through to the concept for the junior playground.

Activities such as climbing, swinging, hiding, jumping, balancing are being recommended in response to communities’ wishes.

Read further details in the Design Overview  or view the concept plans (see Document Library).

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

For further information, contact Alicja Batorowicz, Landscape Architect/Project Coordinator on 9936 8100.