A sketch of the nature play space that will be built in Woden. Image: Supplied.
Construction is now underway on the three new nature play spaces in Woden, Farrer and in the heart of the city, with the play spaces set to be open in the next three months.
Last November the ACT Government announced that it would spend $1.9 million to build three new nature play spaces – Glebe Park in the city, Eddison Park in Woden and Longerenong Street in Farrer – and upgrade 24 playgrounds across the nation’s capital.
The nature play space at Eddison District Park in Woden will have a sand and water theme for younger kids that provides an opportunity to touch and manipulate the flow of water along with a meeting tree surrounded by recycled log seating designed to foster social interaction between children.
In addition, the park’s existing island will have a climbing mound with a tunnel, concrete slide, abstract log animals, bird lookout and rope bridge crossing across the reed beds.
Eddison Park is set to be transformed by September. Image: Supplied
The nature play space designed for Glebe Park will be built in the elm tree forest near the existing play space and park rotunda, with a sand and water play space, adventure course, an enchanted journey and a tree house.
It will include a dry gravel creek bed with water pump and sand play tables, tree house with ramp, ladder and fireman’s pole and adventure course of ropes, net and beams. Many of the elements allow access for inclusive play for children and adults with varying levels of mobility.
A sketch of the Forest Adventure Course planned for Glebe Park. File photo.
The new nature play space in Farrer will include a range of zones for children to explore, including zones for climbing, scrambling, and hiding. The play space will feature timber climbing structures, a sand pit, tunnel and climbing nets as well as a mountain bike pump track adjacent to the play space near the Farrer Scout Hall.
Minister for City Services Chris Steel, who turned the first sod at Eddison Park on Tuesday morning (9 July), said the natural play spaces will use primary elements from the landscape such as logs and boulders to encourage kids to climb, balance, jump, explore and develop their coordination skills.
“Ultimately these are spaces for children, not adults, and it’s been great to have the expert input of children in the design of the playspaces that they will be using,” Mr Steel said.
Farrer’s nature play space will feature an array of timber climbing structures. Photo: Supplied.
“Children are experts in their own play so we have been consulting with children across the community on the designs of these new play spaces. We have consulted with local primary school students on what they would like to see for these new nature play spaces and the broader community.”
“What has been really fantastic to see is the design process be a real rallying point for local communities to come together and recognise that play spaces are an important part of their community and neighbourhood,” Mr Steele said.
More information on nature play in Canberra can be found by clicking here.
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