LIVVI’S PLACE REDEFINED

Livvi’s Place playgrounds can be found throughout Australia due to the efforts of charitable organisation Touch by Olivia, the “only organisation focused on the creation of inclusive playspace in partnership with communities, governments and businesses”.

Livvi’s Place playgrounds provide a unique environment for children of all ages and abilities to play together in one space. Undergoing extensive research and community consultation, Touch by Olivia has developed a template for creating playspaces that rank them as world-class for inclusivity. In 2012, together with leading academics, practitioners, not-for-profits and NGOs, Touch by Olivia developed guidelines that would inform advocates and designers in best practice for creating inclusive playspaces.

“… Livvi’s Place was built for children with all forms of disability and from all parts of Sydney. The playground’s unique design and equipment addresses the needs of children with various forms of disability including mobility, vision and hearing impairment as well as spectrum disorders such as autism,” states the Touch by Olivia foundation website (www.touchedbyolivia.com.au)

Originally opened in 2009, Livvi’s Place Five Dock was the organisation’s flagship playspace. The foundation has since opened over 20 playgrounds across NSW. Last month, the Five Dock playground was reopened after an extensive upgrade, allowing the inaugural playground to continue to provide exploration through play to the local community.

Works undertaken in the play area by Moduplay include the installation of an all-inclusive Skyrider with basket seat, custom designed rope tunnels and Nature Play equipment, and a mound slide, all of which offer an amazing variety of play for all-ages and all-abilities. Moduplay also facilitated the reconfiguration and relocation of all of the old play equipment, the creation of new paths, and the laying of soft fall surfacing for increased safety.

The feedback from the community regarding the upgraded Livvi’s Place Five Dock playground has been extremely positive and Moduplay looks forward to the opportunity to create many more all-inclusive playspaces in the future!

To view the full range of inclusive play equipment offered by Moduplay or to arrange a consultation with one of their qualified Playground Design Consultants visit www.moduplay.com.au