CEMETERY BEACH PARK PLAYSPACE

Remembering Our Past – Protecting Our Future

The design of the new Cemetery Beach Playspace is inspired by history, culture and the natural environment. It features Proludic’s custom-designed ‘SS Koombana’ cargo ship, an Aquatica Multiplay, Accessible Carousel and more play equipment themed around the ocean for all children to enjoy.

Cemetery Park, affectionately referred to as ‘Turtle Park’ by young locals, is a destination park that is very popular with both residents and visitors of the Port Hedland region. The playground is a scenic, safe and engaging playful environment for children and families.

Featuring a site-specific, collaboratively designed solution by Proludic and its WA partner, Active Discovery, the playspace incorporates the principles of inclusive design and accessibility and features a diverse range of innovative Proludic play equipment for children of all ages and abilities.

The SS Koombana cargo and mail ship was lost at sea during a tropical cyclone in March, 1912. The custom ‘SS Koombana’ play unit (custom J2755-M) designed by Proludic commemorates over 150 lives lost at sea in this tragic incident. It also provides imaginative play opportunities and activities to help children develop their gross motor and fine motor skills. The ship’s composite panels and other materials used ensure a robust, durable and sustainable equipment solution for the coastal environment.

A precious nesting habitat for Flatback Turtles exists along this stretch of Port Hedland coastline. The custom-made sculpture of the Flatback Turtle encourages children to connect with these magical creatures.

Other Proludic play equipment that enhances the ocean theme includes:

• Aquatica Multiplay (J2646-M): with activities for younger children to develop their gross motor skills, social skills and creative play. The fully-functioning periscope is a highlight!
• The Sand Factory (custom J5000-M) and Sand Digger (J5014): where children of all ages and abilities can interact with sensory play elements for moving and handling sand, developing hand-eye coordination and social skills
• “Grafic Games” Seahorse (J854-GA) and Frankie the Fish (J821-GA) Springers: provide a unique visual effect with their marine-inspired patterns utilising Proludic’s original and award-winning “Grafic Games” technique

The playground also features inclusive and accessible Proludic play equipment that provides opportunities for all children to interact in a safe, fun-filled environment:

• Accessible Carousel (J2409): group play with room for a wheelchair user and others
• Our award-winning Inclusive Trampoline (R34-ETP-500A-R): fantastic fun for everyone
• Pod Swing (J441) and custom 2-Bay Swings with plenty of seat options for all
• Rainbow Harp (R34-FIECOCH): for musical play and visual stimulation
• Four in a Row Play Panel (R34-FIROW3): for cognitive and social skills development

The playspace has been strategically designed to cater for children of all ages and abilities with unitary surfacing providing easy access to the play equipment. Shade sails and picnic shelters contribute to a safe and comfortable place for everyone to play and relax together in this spectacular setting.

The grand opening of Cemetery Beach Playground, which took place in February 2020, was a great success with over 200 attending. A celebratory cake featuring an image created by Proludic was enjoyed by the children! It was wonderful to see so much joy, excitement and interaction amongst the community of Port Hedland!

The Cemetery Beach playground installation was expertly managed during the very hot and humid conditions of summer by Proludic’s WA partners, Active Discovery. Well done to all! Check out the construction video to get a better idea of the hard work involved in building a fantastic playground!

Photos courtesy of Four Oceans Photography and Active Discovery

Newsflash!

Cemetery Beach Playspace has been nominated in the Parks & Leisure Australia WA 2020 Awards of Excellence in the Playspace Award (less than $0.5 M) category!

CLICK HERE to find out more about this exciting project.

Site Cemetery Beach Park, Sutherland Street, Port Hedland, Western Australia

Client Town of Port Hedland

Age Range from 0.5-years-old; all abilities

Opened February 2020