Watson has a new $3 million playground, so why aren't parents rejoicing?

Earlier this year, the ACT Government finally bowed to nearly two years of public pressure and announced plans to install public toilets at the Ruth Park playground in Coombs after hundreds of parents complained they’d been forced to either leave the site on Edgeworth Parade or let their children go behind trees and bushes.

But has the government now made the same mistake with a new $3 million playground in Watson?

Maliyan Park officially opened on Saturday (24 August) on Aspinall Street, “offering play equipment for a range of ages and play styles” and designed with the “aim of sharing Ngunnawal culture”.

The centrepiece of the park is a ‘Maliyan’ (or wedge-tailed eagle) structure designed by Ngunnawal artist Lynnice Church.

“This structure signifies the importance of the Maliyan to traditional custodians who believe she was chosen to create resources for Ngunnawal people,” the government says.

Other artworks in the park include native animals and insects designed by Ngunnawal artists Jazz and Krystal Matthews from Wilay Designs.

Minister for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Affairs Rachel Stephen-Smith described it as “a practical example of reconciliation in action”, while Chief Minister Andrew Barr said it will serve as a “unique play space” for residents of nearly 200 new dwellings coming to the empty land around the park. These will consist of two apartment blocks and 90 townhouses, capped at four storeys high.

“I can see this being a favourite place for local families of all ages to play, relax and learn more about Ngunnawal culture,” he added.

But many Watson locals weren’t so impressed and questioned if the government may have its priorities mixed up.

In response to a post on the ACT Government Facebook page, there was a deluge of complaints over the lack of toilets and parking.

“Do the people who plan these parks have kids and babies? Or speak to people with kids and babies,” one commenter asked.

“It looks good from a bird’s-eye view, but the actual play facilities are very basic and limited,” another read.

“Kids could not care less about a good-looking playground if there is little to actually play with … More money has been put into the packaging than into the actual content.”

“Looks nice but within five minutes of being there, a parent nearby was trying to find a toilet for their four-year-old … Let’s not have another Coombs playground again,” another said.

Others raised concerns over accessibility for people with disabilities.

“Everyone is mentioning toilets and car parking, which is 100 per cent an issue, but … there is nothing here a child in a wheelchair can access.”

In response, the ACT Government said it has a “hierarchy of parks” and “neighbourhood parks such as Maliyan Park allow for a limited range of play equipment, walking and cycling paths, soft landscaping and some recreational facilities”.

“They do not generally provide waterplay, BBQ, public toilets, additional parking or dynamic or moveable fitness equipment due to the maintenance required for these amenities.”

It said landfill and recycling bins have been installed at the main entrance to the playground (opposite Negus Crescent), while construction has begun on a brand-new “destination play space” at the Canberra Technology Park, also in Watson, which will provide more facilities.

These include “a wide variety of play equipment for all ages and abilities”, two multi-use courts, an open grassed area and amphitheatre, outdoor fitness equipment, skating facilities, accessible path network, 32 bike parking spaces, bike repair station, 18 car parking spaces (including two accessible spaces), an accessible toilet and changeroom with baby change facilities, picnic shelters, barbecues, seating, drinking fountains, signage and bins, and 108 new tree plantings for more shade.

Astoria Bright and her child have made a name for themselves by trying out the city’s play spaces for her blog site Playgrounds of Canberra, and she echoes many of the government’s points in her review of Maliyan Park.

“It is a nice size, leaning towards a local community playground designed to encourage denser living in the area,” she told Region.

“The larger Watson playground designed for Canberra Technology Park will have a greater design capacity focussing on wider amenities.

“I love seeing playgrounds expanding to include more than just the equipment but connection to Ngunnawal culture and Canberra’s connection to nature.”