These inspirational playspaces encourage healthy participation in recreational activities for children across the nation. This year, Kidsafe Australia also acknowledges the importance of community engagement and their innovative approaches to embracing risky and challenging play whilst integrating the use of sustainable resources.
PRESCHOOL/LONG DAY CARE
Fit Kidz Learning Centre | Box Hill NSW
Urban Landscape Projects
This innovative design delivers a strong balance between natural aesthetics and functional play, reflecting the local rural setting and community consultation.
Responsive design has encompassed a broad range of learning and play opportunities, creating an exciting and adventurous playspace.
Children will be challenged, their curiosity will be provoked and explorations will be inspired.
INFANTS/PRIMARY SCHOOL
Galston Public School Quiet Playground | Galston NSW
Fiona Robbé Landscape Architects
This playspace was designed around the strong foundations of community consultation, importantly children, and in alignment with the Australian
standards. This design reflects the voices of not only today’s children, this timeless dinosaur theme will be a memorable playspace for children for years to come.
The carefully and creatively incorporated recycled materials, provide a sensory-rich and calming play environment. Plentiful shade, both natural and built, create an ambient temperature which will invite children to play at length with their imaginations running wild.
PUBLIC PLAYSPACES - UP TO $500K
Fagan Park Children's Forest | Hornsby Shire NSW
Fiona Robbé Landscape Architects
The Fagan Park Children's Forest is a great example of education and environment promoting play innovation. The beautifully designed space sits within the local landscape and exhibits the outcomes of a well lead community engaged design process. This play space is intrinsically inclusive, encouraging exploration and engagement with nature for all ages.
Blending imaginative play with nature, this space transforms into a forest adventure where exploration and invention spark at every turn, encouraging visitors to engage more meaningfully with the world around them.
PUBLIC PLAYSPACES - $500K to $1 MILLION
Karlkurla Bushland Park | Hannans WA
Nature Playgrounds
The Karlkurla Bushland Park is a valuable asset for the local community and visitors. The design is site-responsive and includes bespoke timber play elements that allow for inclusive play, challenge and exploration. The park is aesthetically pleasing and designed to be robustenough to resist vandalism.
It offers a broad range of elements to engage a wide range of play and developmental opportunities. Senses will be invigorated with the inclusion of water play, active play and dynamic moments integrated throughout the space to engage and stimulate every user.
An exceptional playspace, strategically situated within a picturesque natural rural landscape, offering bespoke opportunities for challenging play and exploration.
LEYCESTER MEARES MEMORIAL AWARD
East Cottesloe Nature Trail | Cottesloe WA
Nature Based Play
This inviting nature play trail creates opportunities for children to engage with nature as part of their play and exploratory experience. It also offers young riders the chance to enhance their cycling abilities along the way.
The design shows great initiative in community design, innovation and consideration of inclusivity through the varied play opportunities.
The project highlights storytelling which is portrayed through the design, as well as the innovative response to the existing treescape. In addition, the design includes intergenerational play elements, making it a place for everyone.
Visit Kidsafe via the links below to learn more
