Untitled - Kingston City Council

Kingston City Council Playground Strategy
Volume 1
Principles, Planning and Design of Play Spaces in the City of Kingston
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Copyright © August 2010 by City of Kingston
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Kingston City Council Playground Strategy
Volume 1 - Principles, Planning and Design of Play Spaces in the City of Kingston
Volume 1 CONTENTS
SECTION 1 INTRODUCTION and EXECUTIVE SUMMARY 1
1.1 Introduction and Executive Summary 3
SECTION 2 THE STRATEGIC IMPORTANCE OF PLAY WITHIN
THE CITY OF KINGSTON 5
2.1 Why is Play Important? 7
2.2 About Play, and Changing Play Opportunities for Children 8
2.3 Play Value Offered by Nature and the Landscape 9
2.4 Community Development - The Social Benefits of Play Spaces 10
2.5 Access and Inclusion for Families Living with Disability 11
2.6 About Risky Play and Risk - Benefit Analysis 11
2.7 A Play Policy for the City of Kingston 13
2.8 City of Kingston Policy Statement on Play 14
SECTION 3 PRINCIPLES FOR PLANNING A DIVERSE SYSTEM OF
PLAYGROUNDS ACROSS THE CITY of KINGSTON 15
3.1 Basic Principles 17
3.2 Introducing Hierarchy, Catchments and Precincts 18
3.3 Parks/Play Space Classification System 19
3.4 Locating Open Space in Residential Areas – Principles for Successful
Relationshipsbetween Parks, Housing and the Street 20
3.5 Recommendations – Criteria for the Location of Successful Parks
and Play Spaces 21
3.6 Recommended Characteristics and Benchmarks for Managing Play
Spaces in the ParksHierarchy 22
SECTION 4 OVERVIEW, PRIORITIES and ACTION plan 27
4.1 Introduction 29
4.2 Demographics, Demand and Supply - How Play Provision Should
Respond to Housing Density and Demographic Trends 29
4.3 Establishment of Priorities 30
4.4 City of Kingston Social and Demographic Data and Maps 30
4.5 Kingston Precincts at a Glance 31
4.6 Implementation Plan 38
SECTION 5 COMMUNITY CONSULTATION 43
5.1 Introduction 45
5.2 Feedback on Individual Play spaces 45
5.3 General Comments on Park and Play Spaces 49
5.4 Process for Consultation for the Design and Construction of 50
New Playgrounds
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SECTION 6 PARK and PLAYGROUND DESIGN GUIDELINES 53
6.1 Access To Parks - Information, Transport And Parking 55
6.2 Access Into Parks - Paths And Accessible Routes 55
6.3 Access Within Play Areas-Dealing With Mulch Borders 56
6.4 Park Furniture 57
6.5 Shade And Sun Protection In Play Spaces 57
6.6 Drinking Water 62
6.7 Fences And Play Areas 62
6.8 Toilets 63
6.9 Designing For Play In The Landscape 64
6.10 Spatial Definition And Landform In Play Spaces 66
6.11 Planting for Play Spaces 68
6.12 Play And Disability - Implications For Playground Design 69
6.13 Getting The Best Play Value Out Of Play Space Design 70
6.14 Core Play Activities For Local / Neighbourhood Parks 72
6.15 Designing Play Spaces For Different Age Groups 74
6.16 Playground Safety Standards 79
6.17 Recommendations for Audits and Safety Inspections in Playgrounds 80
LIST OF FIGURES
Map 1 - Suburbs and Existing Playgrounds- City of Kingston Section 1
Map 2 - Planning Areas, Precincts and Playgrounds Section 3
Map 3 - Location and Classification of Playgrounds Section 3
Map 4 - Concentration of Children In Age Groups Section 4
Map 5 - Projected Concentrations of Children in 2013 Section 4
Map 6 - Areas of Relative Social Disadvantage (SEIFA Index) Section 4
Map 7 - Relative Population Density Section 4
Map 8 - Play Strategy Recommendations - Action Plan Section 4
tables
Table 1 - Characteristics Of Play Spaces In The Parks Hierarchy Section 3
Table 2 - Benchmarks For The Design Of Play Spaces Section 3
Table 3 - Summary of Report Recommendations by Precinct Section 4
Table 4 - Implementation Plan Section 4
APPENDICES 83
Appendix A List of playgrounds by RH Reference Number
Appendix B List of Playgrounds in Alphabetical Order
Appendix C List of Playgrounds by Suburb
Appendix D List of Playgrounds by Planning Area and Precinct
Volume 2 of kingston city council playground strategy follows Volume 1
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Mary Jeavons Landscape Architects
Kingston City Council Playground Strategy
Volume 1 - Principles, Planning and Design of Play Spaces in the City of Kingston
Section 1 - introduction and executive summary
Contents
1.1Introduction and Executive Summary
▪▪ Objectives
▪▪ Terminology - Parks, Playgrounds, Play Spaces?
▪▪ Process
▪▪ Report Structure
▪▪ Map 1 - Suburbs and Playgrounds within the City of Kingston
Blackburn Drive Reserve, Cheltenham
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Volume 1 - Principles, Planning and Design of Play Spaces in the City of Kingston
Mary Jeavons Landscape Architects
Kingston City Council Playground Strategy
Volume 1 - Principles, Planning and Design of Play Spaces in the City of Kingston
1.1Introduction and Executive Summary
The Kingston City Council currently has 112 playgrounds in public parks, plus a number of new sites
currently being developed or proposed for play spaces (such as Stanley Avenue Reserve). Two
additional sites in Waterways are currently managed by a body corporate.
These represent a considerable investment by Council in planning, design, development and
maintenance. While their benefits are never completely measured in any monetary sense, they are a
major asset to individuals, to the community and to the environment, and are valued in many different
ways.
This report represents a strategic approach to the development of play spaces in parks, aiming to
deliver the maximum value to the community through thoughtful programs of planning, design and
maintenance. This approach allows Council to avoid misplaced or ad hoc expenditure, to get the best
value from its investment for the community, and to provide the most equitable access to play in open
space.
Objectives
The objectives of this report are:
▪▪ To provide design principles and guidelines for the planning and design of spaces for
children’s play.
▪▪ To assess each existing play space in the city of Kingston and make site-specific short
and long term recommendations.
▪▪ To analyse the existing distribution and hierarchy of playgrounds across the municipality
with regard to equitable provision, demographic data, diversity and demand.
▪▪ Provide a blueprint for future play space renewal and construction.
Terminology - Parks, Playgrounds, Play Spaces?
In recent times, the word playground has been interpreted by many to mean just play equipment (and
the accompanying areas of soft surfacing and occasional furniture). In recognition of the fact that
children need more than just play equipment to stimulate and support their play needs, it has become
popular to use the words play space to denote a broader type of environment which is purpose built
for play but also includes natural elements, settings for imaginative and social play etc.
In this document the terms playgrounds, play spaces and play environments have been used more
or less interchangeably, assuming that the intent of all of these spaces is to cater for the outdoor
play needs of children. How this is done is vitally important, and is the whole subject of this report- it
should depend upon the context, the needs of the children and the community, and the resources of
the managing authority.
The word parks is also used a lot in this context. Most outdoor play provision occurs in parks. Play
equipment is just one type of play provision within this setting. It is the intention of this report to
encourage planners, designers and managers to look more broadly at the whole range of opportunities
offered by parks, and to broaden the view of what it means to provide for play.
Process
During this process, every play space has been visited and assessed. Each has been classified
according to a hierarchy that sets up benchmarks for design and management. The community was
consulted through a broad questionnaire, and feedback was received about individual parks.
Reports for each park/play space have been prepared, including recommendations about the role of
that play space within its residential precinct.
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Volume 1 - Principles, Planning and Design of Play Spaces in the City of Kingston
Report Structure
The individual playground reports are presented in Volume 2 of this report. These are grouped geographically
by Planning Area. The recommendations range from suggesting the complete removal of a playground, to
refurbishments, full upgrades, and reclassification.
Planning and management principles, as well as design guidelines for children’s play spaces, have also
been developed. These recognise the importance of outdoor play in children’s development, and are
discussed in detail in Volume 1 of the report. The principles and guidelines are applicable to existing parks,
playgrounds and open space, as well as proposed developments.
Volume 1 also includes a summary/overview of all of the precincts in the City of Kingston and the play
spaces within them. The report discusses demographic and socio-economic trends and also areas where
there is a lack of public open space and play areas. It draws upon this information and identifies areas
which are considered to be a priority in terms of outdoor play provision.
The Appendices 1-4, Volume 1, include park/playground lists names and the references to page numbers,
Planning Areas and Playground Precinct numbers, which will assist in finding the information in the report
relevant to that site. Refer Map 1A 'Suburbs and Playgrounds' within the City of Kingston.
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Kingston City Council Playground Strategy
Volume 1 - Principles, Planning and Design of Play Spaces in the City of Kingston
Section 2 -THE STRATEGIC IMPORTANCE OF PLAY WITHIN
THE CITY OF KINGSTON
contents
2.1 Why is Play Important?
2.2 About Play, and Changing Play Opportunities for Children
2.3Play Value Offered by Nature and the Landscape
2.4
Community Development- The Social Benefits of Play Spaces
2.5Access and Inclusion for Families Living with Disability
2.6
About Risky Play and Risk - Benefit Analysis
2.7A Play Policy for the City of Kingston
2.8City of Kingston Policy Statement on Play
The Heath Estate Common, Heatherton
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2.1Why is Play Important?
Play is the means by which children develop all of the skills they will need in adulthood. It is important
for its own sake, for the wellbeing of every individual, and for society.
There are many vital ways that physical play activities influence children’s physical, neural, social and
sensory development in addition to the obvious benefits of movement, exercise and fitness. Activities
such as spinning, rocking and swinging are important for vestibular development, relating to the inner
ear and the development of balance, vision and hearing.
Other spatial and physical movements are also vital for kinesthetic and sensory integration such as
moving the body in space, over under and through, the application of pressure, and perception of
height and depth. These are critical to the child’s complete development and the integration of all the
senses.
Play is also the way children learn to socialise and to get on with others. It has a critical role in the
development of creativity and imagination, in emotional and cognitive development, and on the ability
of children to learn to take risks and ultimately become independent adults.
Access to the natural and open-ended environments that foster this less obvious play behaviour is
now shrinking. Designed play spaces need to be carefully planned to ensure that all types of play are
well catered for.
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2.2 About Play, and Changing Play Opportunities for Children
Three important current trends, discussed below, are having a major impact upon critically important
experiences for children in our urban society. While the City of Kingston cannot on its own change
these patterns, it can recognize their significance, and take steps to address their impact with
compensatory actions, especially in quality play provision.
The Disappearance of Private Outdoor Play
In the past, the back yard sustained many childhood activities, complemented by play on the street
or nearby parks as children became more independent. Backyards are now shrinking, disappearing,
or becoming an adult domain. The trend towards smaller private yards, or no yard at all can have
a negative impact upon children and on these important play activities. Spaces where children can
fiddle with their environment - build dig or engage with the outdoors in messy ways - are in many
cases now simply unavailable.
The Shrinking of Children’s Access to the Public Domain
Travel by bike and on foot has always been an important means of children gaining independence
and expanding their local territory as they get older.
More severe limitations are now placed upon children’s free movement around their neighbourhoods,
with increased parental concerns over traffic and interaction with strangers impacting upon children’s
options for independent play.
Children‘s time is also increasingly programmed and their activities have moved substantially indoors.
Children are increasingly taken to places to play. The size of the territory to which they have free
and independent access has shrunk considerably. Play opportunities close to home remain vitally
important.1
Fewer Left-over Spaces and Natural Environments
The more limited availability of left-over or remnant land, and the trend towards planned and designed
open space in residential areas, reduces children’s access to places where they can ‘muck about’
freely. A more thoughtful approach to the provision of public open space is urgently required.
These patterns may seem out of the control of local government. A thoughtful approach to the
provision of open space and play opportunities can attempt to balance some of these negative effects
and ensure that opportunities still exist for children to play in ways which are critically important for
their development.
The challenge for planners and designers is to plan some ‘unplanned’ and ‘un-designed’ qualities which
children need, especially in denser areas of housing, and to ensure that children have independent
access to these areas.
1 Elliott, Sue (ed) 2008, The Outdoor Playspace Naturally, page 3, Pademelon Press
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2.3Play Value Offered by Nature and the Landscape
The landscape qualities of a play space make a major contribution to
its play value and aesthetics.
Landscape Elements in Parks
Parks and other urban spaces need a high degree of variation in the qualities offered by the landscape,
to allow for the highly varying range in the play and recreation needs of children of all ages, and their
families.
Landscape elements such as those illustrated include vegetation, changes of level, walls and edges,
fences and gates, rocks and boulders, paving and surfacing, logs, sand, water and loose materials
such as pebbles, leaves, twigs, bark and mulch.
They also include the terrain itself; cliffs, caves, hillsides, hollows and mounds, and spatial qualities
such degrees of enclosure and views in and out. Sensory qualities such as sounds, colours, textures,
and smells are also of great importance, especially to children, who are highly perceptive of detail in
their surroundings.
Open-ended Play
As all of the landscape elements discussed above are somewhat ‘open-ended’ (ie. they do not have
a specific play purpose assigned to them by a manufacturer) children are able to use their own
imagination and appropriate them for their own play, which can change at any time.
Landscape elements offer seasonal change, loose materials, opportunities to engage with and
experience nature, and opportunities for self-directed play. These have become increasingly
important experiences for inner-urban children. Some of these spaces may look untidy but if they
have a demonstrable importance to children they should be protected by design and management
practices.
Designers need to attempt to incorporate landscape elements as integral elements of play space
designs wherever possible, but in particular these are necessary where it is clear that these experiences
will not otherwise be available to local children.
Landscape elements not only offer play opportunities in their own right; they can enhance and extend
the play on adjacent play equipment if located and designed carefully.
Limitations of Play Equipment
Purpose-built play equipment not only provides a lot of fun, but an important set of experiences for
children. For example, it excels at providing specific types of movement, such as swinging, sliding
and rocking, which are vital in human development and difficult for children to duplicate in their own
constructions. It is important to remember, though, that play equipment is simply one part of a very
wide spectrum of possibilities for children, and not the only option.
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Settings that offer a predetermined theme can offer a high degree of novelty and enjoyment but this
is countered by the lack of opportunities for children to change the theme according to their own
interests, or to interact with the setting over time. Naturally, in an area where children are ‘captive’ for
long periods of time, the novelty value of an adult-designed theme disappears quickly.
One valuable aspect of fixed play equipment is that (unlike some wilder settings) it is universally
recognised by adults as a space for children. Once users have been attracted to a space, however, it
is valuable to ensure that there are other aspects of the space to discover, and that the play can flow
from play equipment into landscape as the child wishes.
The play opportunities within an urban precinct therefore need to be carefully planned as a package
so that children do not need to depend fully upon fixed themed and built play equipment alone, within
their residential precinct. Play equipment should be viewed as simply part of the available choice of
settings for children.
Combination of built and natural elements in a designed play setting
2.4 Community Development- The Social Benefits of Play Spaces
There are many site reports in Volume 2 of this report that mention the potential for spaces to provide
better for social/meeting opportunities, for people in parks.
There is substantial evidence of social isolation in cities and suburbs. Simple strategies, such as
providing suitable social seating that caters for groups of people in play spaces next to kindergartens,
for example, could have powerful positive effects in community building. The types of furniture as well
as informal seating opportunities, the degree of accessibility, and their placement in relation to shade
and wind protection all contribute to the degree to which a park or play space is likely to encourage
parents and children to meet and get to know one another.
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Volume 1 - Principles, Planning and Design of Play Spaces in the City of Kingston
2.5 Access and Inclusion for Families Living with Disability
Children with a disability need to play like every child. Adults with a disability also need to be able
to access parks, play spaces and shelters, and use furniture and amenities. Local parks provide an
important opportunity to play locally, to meet other local families, and to have an inexpensive local
outing for play.
Parks and playgrounds need to be physically accessible, socially inclusive, and they need to enable
active participation wherever possible. It is clearly not possible to make every activity physically
accessible to everyone on every site, so a high priority must be given to social inclusion wherever
possible. This means taking active steps to ensure that a child with a disability can play socially in a
space with their friends and family, in some way.
Similarly, social spaces such as seating areas, cubbies, shelters and other gathering spaces need,
as a minimum, to be designed to be wheelchair accessible, and with furniture that allows a person in
a wheelchair to sit with others.
Benchmarks are provided in Section 3 and in Section 6 to provide guidance for levels of accessibility
for different parks in the park hierarchy.
In some situations, additional expenditure will be warranted, to ensure that children already
disadvantaged by their disability can access quality play opportunities. Massive wholesale increases
in spending are not required, though an increased expenditure on paths, especially, is likely to be
required.
Most importantly, it is recommended that in the early stages of design, a more thoughtful approach
to detail will result in a much more accessible outcome for all children and their accompanying adults
who may have a disability.
2.6 About Risky Play and Risk-Benefit Analysis
Risk is defined as the chance of an adverse outcome - the chance that somebody could be harmed,
together with an indication of how serious that harm could be. Traditionally, Risk Management
seeks to deal with risk by eliminating it or minimizing it. In a workplace, the task is straightforward.
Employers are obliged to identify hazards and mitigate them in order to reduce the risk of someone
being harmed.
In playgrounds this issue is not so straight forward because the reason playgrounds exist is
to facilitate play, which inherently involves risk taking.
This requires a more sophisticated approach. Risks are not all the same, and they are not all the
same to everyone. Risk Benefit analysis is an alternative way of considering the issue of risk. This is
explained below.
Risk taking is important in children‘s development of a sense of self; of confidence and of a sense
of mastery and ultimately independence. Children experience a deep sense of achievement and
satisfaction from taking on a risk and mastering a situation. The skills developed from risk taking,
even in early childhood, are critical in all spheres of children’s development, and serve to protect
them by teaching them how to deal with the challenges and hazards that inevitably occur throughout
life. Children who learn to take risks, learn from mistakes, and learn to move on are likely to be more
adaptable and resilient in life.
Negative Risks
Negative risks are things a child cannot anticipate or assess for themselves. These risks and hazards
don’t have play or developmental value, learning benefits or other obvious benefits. Examples
of negative or undesirable risks in playgrounds include sharp protrusions, head, neck and limb
entrapment, structural failure, crush points. Removing these known causes of injury from playgrounds
does not have an adverse affect on the play outcomes. The Safety Standards discussed in Section
6.16 are a good guide to what constitutes unacceptable or negative risks. Typically, these negative
factors are controlled by methods such as careful design to comply with Safety Standards, impact
absorbing surfacing, regular safety inspections, and prompt maintenance and repairs.
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Kingston City Council Playground Strategy
Volume 1 - Principles, Planning and Design of Play Spaces in the City of Kingston
Parental supervision, especially of young children, plays an important role in managing risk and in
assisting children to develop their own skills in managing challenges.
Non play-related risks are also managed on a daily basis by Council - through such means as provision
of sharps disposal bins and regular cleaning, to prevent needlestick injuries, for example.
Positive Risks
These have to do with developing skills, making calculated decisions, taking on a challenge, mastering
it, and progression from smaller to higher degrees of challenge by choice. Children can select, and
opt out. Positive risks allow the child to judge whether to take them or not. In play situations they
typically include:
▪▪ Things that require skill and strength to hang
onto or reach,
▪▪ High speed,
▪▪ Climbing,
▪▪ Exploring something that is unknown, and
▪▪ Jumping from height,
▪▪ Challenging forms of movement,
▪▪ Using something in a way that is special
(eg. with the eyes shut).
These are the risks, or challenges, that cause debate, and often require decisions or judgement
from designers and managers. Occasionally the outcomes could be harmful. But our society is
not averse to taking risks in some domains. When weighted for exposure, the injury data for many
sports including football and rugby, for example, would indicate an injury rate much higher than for
playgrounds2. These risks are accepted as part of the risks and benefits from playing these sports. Playgrounds should similarly be judged to offer benefits that come hand in hand with the challenges.
Children benefit socially, physically and psychologically from learning to master challenges, and these
are necessary for the development of competence in adults.
Risk Benefit Analysis
In their 2008 publication (available as a free download) Managing Risk in Play Provision, Ball, Gill and
Spiegal (Play England)3 outline a process of Risk Benefit Assessment which is a different approach
from standard risk management because it recognises the value of risk in play, and at every level it
brings these benefits into the equation and decision making.
Risk benefit analysis means that Council weighs, with equal consideration, the duty to protect children from avoidable serious harm - negative risks - and the duty to provide them with stimulating,
adventurous play opportunities - positive risks. (Ball, Gill and Spiegal, 2008).
Children seek their own levels of challenge in many parts of the public environment, not just in
playgrounds. This is often confronting when children appear to be placing themselves in danger.
More opportunities for ‘controlled’ risk taking in playgrounds may help children to at least understand
their own limitations and to develop their skills in handling challenging situations.
This approach does not mean a laissez faire approach to playground safety, nor does it ignore
technical inspections and Safety Standards. It uses technical inspections as part of the process, and
requires more thoughtful judgement as to when a risk is acceptable. It breaks down the tasks of
managing risk in play into three levels:
▪▪ Play policy framework
▪▪ Risk benefit assessment
▪▪ Technical inspection.
Each of these steps informs the others in a dynamic way.
2Managing Risk in Play Provision. Ball, Gill and Spiegal 2008 (Play England)
3 Free download http://publications.teachernet.gov.uk/eOrderingDownload/00942-2008DOM-EN.pdf)
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Recommendations
▪▪ It is recommended that the Kingston City Council adopts the risk benefit analysis process
as outlined in the book Managing Risk in Play Provision, Ball, Gill and Spiegal (Play
England) for managing risk in playgrounds.
▪▪ It is recommended that, in the design and management of parks and playgrounds, the
City of Kingston embraces the premise that there are benefits in children taking risks.
These interconnected principles help to provide a framework for decision making, to protect individual
officers who have to make daily judgements about acceptable risks, and establish that risk benefit
assessment is an acceptable way of managing risk in public play provision.
Refer also to Section 6.16 which outlines the Australian Standards and other safety benchmarks that
are used in the technical assessments that apply to playgrounds.
2.7 A Play Policy for the City of Kingston
Many countries around the world are recognising the importance of quality play in modern urban
society and have taken steps at national and local levels to establish policies and strategies to actively
improve the practices that affect play.
• A place with a sustainable future
• A place where children participate in making decisions and express their views
• A place where special attention is given to disadvantaged children
• A place where children are not discriminated against
• A place where children have access to services;
• A place where local authorities act in best interests of children
• A place with safe environments that nurture children
• A place where children are able to engage in recreation, learning, social interaction,
psychological development and cultural expression
The UK government established and funded Play England who are playing a very active role in this
field. The Child Friendly Cities movement has linked many local Councils in Australia in their councilwide efforts to address issues which affect children.
UNICEF Characteristics of a Child Friendly City - Children’s Indicators 4
A play policy sets out the principles by which an organisation or agency stands in terms of children's
play. A play strategy is a plan by which these principles will be put into practice.
This Kingston City Council 2009 Playground Strategy:
▪▪ Includes a strong and dynamic policy statement supporting children's right to play.
▪▪ Accepts the benefits of risk taking in play as an integral part of play provision.
▪▪ Contains recommendations which aim to make provision for all children to access a
broader range of quality freely chosen play opportunities.
4 Designs for a Child Friendly Community
Professor Karen Malone UNESCO Asia Pacific Director, Growing Up In Cities Project,
Head of Social Sciences, Faculty of Education, University of Wollongong, Australia
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2.8 City of Kingston Policy Statement on Play
Introduction
The statement is founded on the principle that the United Nations Convention on the Rights of the
Child, ratified by the Australian Government in December 1990, recognises the importance of play
for the child.
Kingston City Council recognises the significance and value of play in children’s
development.
▪▪ Play is critically important to all children in the development of their physical, social,
mental, emotional and creative skills. It is the process of a child’s own, self-directed
learning and as such is valid for children of all ages. It is a fundamental and integral part
of healthy development - not only for individual children - but also for the society in which
they live.
▪▪ Play requires free access to the broadest range of environments and play
opportunities.
▪▪ Decision making at all levels of government should include a consideration of the impact
of those decisions on children’s opportunities to play.
▪▪ Council agrees to consider the broad impact of decisions at all levels on children
generally, and on their play, and to explicitly foster and support play
Kingston City Council recognises the significance of the physical environment in providing
opportunities for outdoor play
▪▪ The impact of modern society on children’s lives has significantly restricted children’s
opportunity to play freely and it has impacted upon play opportunities in the general
environment.
▪▪ Council is committed to high quality compensatory play provision that is appropriate,
accessible, local, stimulating and challenging for children in Kingston, thereby offering
them the opportunity to explore through freely chosen play.
Kingston City Council recognises risk-taking is an inherent part of play and child
development and therefore must be treated in a different way from other risk management
issues.
▪▪ Council recognises that children have an innate desire to seek out opportunities to take
increasing risks, and that this is an essential part of their play and learning. Council will
respond positively by extending the range of environments and opportunities available for
children’s play while continuing to have due regard for their physical and psychological
well being.
▪▪ Risk - benefit analysis is a valuable tool in this process.
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Section 3 - PRINCIPLES FOR PLANNING A DIVERSE SYSTEM OF
PLAYGROUNDS ACROSS THE CITY of KINGSTON
contents
3.1Basic Principles
3.2 Introducing Hierarchy, Catchments and Precincts
3.3 Parks/Play Space Classification System 3.4Locating Open Space in Residential Areas – Principles for Successful
Relationshipsbetween Parks, Housing and the Street
3.5 Recommendations – Criteria for the Location of Successful Parks
and Play Spaces
3.6 Recommended Characteristics and Benchmarks for Managing Play
Spaces in the ParksHierarchy
Map 2 Planning Areas, Precincts and Existing Playgrounds within the City of Kingston
Map 3 Location and Classification of Existing Playgrounds within the City of Kingston
Table 1 Characteristics of Play Spaces in the Parks Hierarchy
Table 2Benchmarks for the Design of Playspaces in the Parks Hierarchy
Kingston Heath Playground
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3.1Basic Principles
This section explains some basic principles and ideas which affect how open space and play areas
can best meet the play and recreation needs of communities. These concepts underlie this report
and in particular the site assessments in Volume 2.
Diversity
Diversity is a fundamental principle of play and recreation planning. The provision of a diverse range
of options for activities and settings, spaces and play opportunities for children and adults of different
ages and abilities is the best way to ensure that the needs of most residents will be met.
Designers need to ensure that any new, or refurbished park or play space, is different in character
and in the opportunities it offers, from other parks in the same catchment.
There are endless ways that character, style and activities can be expressed in a park or play space.
More information about play space design is included in Section 6.
Dependence
The more dependent any one group is upon any particular park or play space, the more care that is
required in its design.
In the Playground and Precinct Reports in Volume 2 of this Report, some attention has been paid to
parks that may be the only available open space or play area for a whole residential catchment or
precinct -that is, an area where there is a high level of dependence upon only one play space.
In these situations especially, instead of relying on play equipment alone, designers should provide
multi-purpose settings which can be adapted by children for their own use, as the children grow up.
This will frequently require some natural elements, loose materials and less manicured areas, areas
for ball games and for bike riding, as well as built play equipment.
The Importance of Neighbourhood and Local Parks and Play Areas
Even though locally accessible smaller parks may be considered to be less important in the Kingston
parks classification hierarchy (refer Section 3.5), these are very significant because they are the most
accessible to every home, and therefore cater for the everyday play needs of local children as they
grow up.
The importance and potential value of these parks should not be under-estimated. For this reason,
the following issues need to be assessed carefully in locally accessible parks, such as:
▪▪ the real possibility of children engaging with nature in their local outdoor areas,
▪▪ accessibility for children and adults with disabilities, and
▪▪ the potential for Local parks especially to provide good local meeting places and social
spaces.
At this practical level, by creating well used local parks, the City of Kingston can be seen to be
actually implementing broader principles promoted by Councils and other organisations, such as
healthy active living, walking and cycling around local neighbourhoods, child friendly cities, access
and inclusion, walking to school, and avoiding over-reliance on cars.
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3.2Introducing Hierarchy, Catchments and Precincts
This section defines the terms that have been used to classify parks and play spaces in this report.
Later in this section, these have been applied in a table that sets out important benchmarks for the
provision and management of parks and play provision in the City of Kingston.
Hierarchy
Parks and play spaces are classified into a hierarchy according to a series of criteria relating to their
size and importance. The classification system is explained in more detail in Section 3.5. Catchment
A catchment is the area from which users are likely to come to use a particular park or play provision.
Catchments vary considerably for different levels in the hierarchy of recreation facilities, parks and
play spaces. For example visitors may travel from all over Melbourne and from further afield to visit
the Royal Botanic Gardens, but are unlikely to travel more than a few streets to use a small park in a
suburban residential precinct.
Planning Areas
Planning Areas are geographic units within the municipality, used across the City of Kingston for
management and administrative purposes. These have been numbered and have been used widely
for many purposes, including the City of Kingston Open Space Strategy prepared in 2005. The
same numbering system has been adopted in this report. Planning Areas are shown on Map 2. A
few playgrounds in surrounding municipalities are taken into account in this report, where these abutt
Kingston's boundaries.
Playground Precincts
Playground Precincts are smaller divisions within Planning Areas. These have distinct boundaries,
usually formed by physical barriers such as busy roads, railway lines or water bodies.
This report is largely focused on areas where people live, and industrial areas and other non-residential
land-uses are therefore generally not considered. The relationship between housing, parks and other
open space, and the streets and off road networks that link them within these areas, has a most
important impact upon the outdoor opportunities available to children.
Ideally as children grow, they expand their territory, moving further and further afield on foot and
by bike as they become more independent. Busy roads (such as freeways and main traffic routes)
railway lines, drainage channels, water bodies and other physical barriers form strong boundaries.
These and other factors can interfere with this gradual expansion, containing children within smaller
and smaller physical areas.
Other factors, primarily parental fears about strangers and traffic, also limit children’s free movement
in modern urban society.
The package of play opportunities within any one precinct such as the parks, open spaces, play
equipment, creeks, pedestrian zones and any other public spaces where children might play is of
fundamental importance in the planning, design and management for play. Playground Precincts are
shown on Map 2.
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3.3Parks/Play Space Classification System
The classification of parks and play spaces into a hierarchy is a
management tool that enables Council to adopt a systematic and
equitable approach to planning, design, development, and the level of
maintenance across the City of Kingston.
The discussion below relates both to specific play facilities and to the parcels of open space in which
these are located.
Parks and play spaces are typically classified according to their characteristics, namely:
▪▪ the size and nature of the space,
▪▪ their importance, role and function,
▪▪ the range of attractions available, and
▪▪ the size of the catchment ie. how far people will travel to use the park.
These, in turn, help to determine:
▪▪ the appropriate level/style of development given the park’s location, role and character
▪▪ the degree of accessibility that is required
▪▪ the context and duration of likely visits
▪▪ the types of amenities required to support visitors such as the need for car parking,
toilets, and the capacity of the immediate neighbourhood to absorb visitors
Suitable design and management benchmarks for each of these will assist Council to deliver the
appropriate level of services. Management and maintenance contracts can also be benchmarked for
parks of various classification levels in the hierarchy, where appropriate.
City of Kingston Classification System Playgrounds, along with the parks and the open space system in the City of Kingston, have been
classified as: ▪▪ Neighbourhood:
serve just the immediate neighbourhood
▪▪ Local:
generally serve a whole precinct
▪▪ District:
serve a group of precincts
▪▪ Regional:
serve a much larger catchment
▪▪ Town Park:
serves an urban civic environment
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3.4Locating Open Space in Residential Areas – Principles for Successful Relationships between Parks, Housing and the Street
It is desirable for parks to be located where they have a social context, where they are visually
prominent, where there is public surveillance, where they address the fronts of houses or street
frontages, and where they can be accessed through local networks of pedestrian and cycle routes.
Parks need to be considered as part of a diverse system of open space, and each park needs an
identifiable role within its catchment. The following points explain these important principles. Impact of Subdivision Design
Most of the discussion in this report concerns existing parks and play spaces. Many comments in the
site assessment section of this report (Volume 2) have noted issues that relate to the poor layout of
the subdivision, and in particular to the poor location of parks and open space in relation to streets,
housing and sometimes shops.
These problems affect how children, teenagers and adults access outdoor space and the play activities
they need. They affect whether local children will use a park after school, how secure people feel
when using a park, and whether residents or visitors know that a park exists. They can also affect
vandalism, and the type of usage a park attracts.
Indirectly, the layout of streets and parks has an impact upon community health and wellbeing.
Problems with location can only be overcome at considerable expense as time goes on.
As new housing areas are developed, it is important - at the planning stage - to ensure that the
locations of parks and open space are determined by these principles.
Social Context
Successful parks and play spaces tend to be located in natural nodes where people gather or pass by
as part of their everyday activities. Social activity tends to act as a magnet that in turn attracts other
visitors.
In residential areas, parks that face the fronts of dwellings tend to be better used and have fewer
incidences of vandalism than those surrounded by back yards. Children tend to like to play ‘where the
action is’ and this is usually at the front, or on the street, and where other children can see them.
Similarly, parks located near other community facilities such as shopping centres should also ideally
address the front or side of these activity nodes. There are numerous examples in Kingston of parks
and play spaces at the backs of shops which would have been far more successful if they had been
located differently (such as Leonard Close Reserve, L.L. Stephenson Reserve, Dingley Reserve, and
Gladesville Boulevard Reserve).
Play spaces that are intended to attract visitors from further afield generally need to be located where
other attractions entice visitors to that place for more than one reason.
Visibility, Prominence and Security
To maximise usage, parks should be easily seen by passers-by, and should be located on prominent
sites, preferably with good informal surveillance. Avoid locating parks where they are only addressed
by the rear fences of dwellings. Avoid narrow entrances to parks if it is difficult to see into the space
from the street.
There is a fine balance between prominence and security, on the one hand, and a park which is
over-exposed and has no sense of enclosure or containment, on the other. Similarly, a balance must
be found between parks which are prominently located, and those which are located on overly busy
noisy roads and which are unpleasant spaces to be in. Refer Section 6 on Spatial Diversity for further
discussion.
Views into and across the park should be generally maintained. This does not mean that the parks
must be completely featureless. Planting and other elements should be carefully located within the
park to allow some views through.
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Play areas that are tucked away inside a larger parcel of open space (including creeks and bush land,
and even large sports reserves) away from roads or housing can be successful if they are well used,
but may have problems with vandalism. Users may feel insecure without the possibilities of views in
from passersby.
Location of Parks Used by Older Children and Teenagers
Parks that will be used by older children and teenagers need to be on prominent sites for the following
reasons:
▪▪ Teenagers particularly like to gather where their friends are likely to be. A prominent
space allows them to see and be seen.
▪▪ Noise from skaters or ball games will be unwelcome in small quiet spaces surrounded
by houses. Location of these activities on a more public edge will reduce opportunities
for complaints.
▪▪ It is a good idea to make sure that there is informal surveillance to provide for the security
of this age group as well as to reduce vandalism and graffiti.
▪▪ A location close to transport will be necessary
▪▪ A relationship with shops is often beneficial.
These considerations are especially important in the planning and design of open space in new
residential areas.
Well located places to kick balls are important for many older children and teenagers.
Connections Via Off-Road Networks
Off-road connections between parks, along linear reserves and shared pathways can expand the
usefulness of parks, and allow children safe ways of expanding their territories and connecting to
other parks and reserves. These links enable better value to be obtained from less-useful areas of
open space.
An Open Space System
Parks, open spaces and play spaces, as well as the routes which connect them, need to be considered
as a system of interconnected parts, organised into a hierarchy, with benchmarks for design and
management.
3.5 Recommendations - Criteria for the Location of Successful Parks
and Play Spaces
It is recommended that City of Kingston applies the following criteria to the location of parks for play,
space when assessing applications for new residential developments.
Parks for play should be located in positions which are:
▪▪ prominent, visible from houses and easily accessible to them on foot or bike
▪▪ large enough to provide adequately for the functions that will be required, without conflicts
from immediate residents
▪▪ for parks less than one hectare in size, avoid surrounding by houses on all sides; allow
for off- road connection to other open space
▪▪ preferably attractive with character and amenity.
For parks higher in the hierarchy than Neighbourhood parks (refer to Section 3.4), they should also
be located:
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▪▪ in a reasonably central position, co-located in a social ‘hub’ within a precinct,
▪▪ where families are likely to go for more than one reason and meet others,
▪▪ where they are accessible by public transport and with car parking, in some contexts,
▪▪ in a reasonable geographic spread across the Precinct, and
▪▪ where they can be connected into bike paths or trails that allow connections further
afield. 3.6Recommended Characteristics and Benchmarks for Managing Play
Spaces in the Parks Hierarchy
The characteristics of each level; and some benchmarks for design and management, are described
in Tables 1 and 2 overleaf.
It is recommended that Council adopts these benchmarks for design and management of play spaces
across the municipality. This will help to ensure that Kingston residents have equitable access to high
quality play opportunities which can be effectively planned, budgeted for and managed by Council.
The location of all playgrounds and their classification is shown on Map 3.
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Primary purpose is for social/
family recreation. Important
for children old enough to
walk or cycle to playgrounds
independently. Help make up for
a lack of private space.
Role and Function
Duration of Visit
Ideally residents should have
a Neighbourhood Park within
approximately 400-500m
from home. This is based on
approximately 10 minute walk.
Unlikely to attract visitors who
do not live in the immediate
surrounds.
Distribution and
Catchment
Visits are likely to be of short
duration.
Important meeting places.
Serve the whole playground precinct.
They are typically larger and more
prominent than the neighbourhood
play space, with a distribution similar
to local primary schools.
The basic and possibly most
important unit or building block of
the open space and playground
system. Serves homes generally
within walking distance.
Connection to other parks via off
road trails and linkage parklands
important.
Definition and
Significance of the Park
and Play Space
Visits are likely to be of short duration,
often connected to another visit i.e. to
shops, kinder etc.
The role as a social meeting place
near other community facilities is
frequently important.
Primary purpose is for social/family
recreation.
Frequently located near a node such
as a shopping centre, school or
community centre. Intended as an
essentially local facility, serving users
who live relatively close by. Travel
would be by foot or bike and possibly
by car.
LOCAL
NEIGHBOURHOOD
CHARACTERISTICS
DISTRICT / TOWN PARK
Visits are likely to be of long enough
duration for toilets to be required.
Primary purpose is social/family
recreation but the park may have
other significance, such as providing
sports facilities, a civic precinct, a
beach, or a natural environment etc.
providing an external draw-card.
Attract visitors from across precinct
boundaries, by car, bike or on foot,
(especially if the reserve is connected
via off road trails to other residential
areas).
Typically serves a cluster of
playground precincts.
Town Parks are usually associated
with Civic precincts such as libraries,
municipal offices and civic squares.
These are destination playgrounds,
drawing people from further afield
than their immediate residential areas,
but generally less significant than
Regional parks and playgrounds.
TABLE 1 - characteristics of play spaces in the parks hieraRchy
Visits will be expected to be of
at least some hours’ duration
and a range of amenities will
be required to provide for these
longer visits.
Typically offer the largest range
of activities and amenities, in
a custom-designed setting.
Function as a destination or
focal point for social /family /
recreation, possibly with other
specialist role/s.
Attracts visitors from across the
municipality and further afield.
Depend upon a unique setting.
Typically only one or two per
municipality or even a group of
municipalities.
Destination places that attract
visitors from across a region.
Typically larger parcels of
open space, on a site with
landscape, cultural, sporting or
environmental attractions with
wider significance. Vary because
of unique qualities.
REGIONAL
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Seating and tree shade is important. A
basic seamless, wheelchair accessible path
system usually required.
Amenities
The whole local precinct needs to be
considered as a package in which no single
park /playground necessarily caters for
everyone, but within the precinct toddler,
junior and older age groups will find
activities that suit them. Parks with a higher
level of dependence need to cater for more
age groups.
Within every local precinct, a child or adult
with a disability must be able to access a
choice of play /social opportunities. Parks
with a high level of dependence require
higher levels of accessibility. A basic but
seamless path system providing physical
access into the park, to social areas, and
to some play activities is expected in most
parks.
Minimum park size recommended for new
parks not less than 1 ha. for a park bounded
by streets. (Parks smaller than .75ha often
have difficulty providing adequately for
social & family recreation. Smaller sized
existing parks can be compensated for with
good off road links to other open space.
Very small existing parks need individual
assessment as to suitability for play space
development.
Target Age Groups
Access and Inclusion
Size
BBQ’s, built shade, car parking and toilets
are not expected.
Drinking water may be provided where
feasible.
Level of development will vary from site
to site and depending upon the degree of
dependence upon this play space locally.
The more dependence, the higher the
quality /amenity required.
NEIGHBOURHOOD
Quality
CHARACTERISTICS
Drinking water ideally provided.
BBQ’s, built shade, car parking and toilets
are not expected.
Drinking water ideally provided.
BBQ’s, built shade, car parking and toilets
are not expected.
Play spaces within any reserve can vary
greatly in size.
Minimum park size recommended not less
than 1 ha. for a park bounded by streets.
Preferably larger and more complex than
neighbourhood level parks.
A seamless accessible path system from
street, car park or footpath into the park,
to all social spaces and into the ‘heart’ of
the play area is expected. Parks with a
high level of dependence require higher
levels of accessibility to a choice of play
opportunities.
Play spaces within District reserves vary in
size depending upon the usage patterns and
the nature of adjacent facilities, but they need
to be large enough to accommodate a good
range of activities and amenities.
District parks vary according to the other
purposes such as sports facilities.
A seamless accessible path system from
street, car park or footpath into the park, to
all social spaces and into the ‘heart’ of the
activity area and to a good range of play
activities is required. Some effort to provide
access to height and to natural areas is
expected.
Play areas need to cater for all age groups.
A seamless, wheelchair accessible path
system is required.
A seamless, wheelchair accessible path
system is required.
Local play spaces need to provide for
a range of age groups. General range
can sometimes be tilted towards one
age group (such as near a kindergarten
vs. a secondary school) but the design
should not rule out play by the non target
age group. In parks with high levels of
dependence - cater for more age groups.
Effective tree shade is important over a
choice of seating and play areas.
Design of the whole site requires more
attention to detail in resolution of details such
as accessibility, site levels, materials, edging,
surfacing, paths, garden beds, shade, seating
than expected for Local Parks.
DISTRICT
Effective tree shade is important over a
choice of seating and play areas.
Level of development will vary from site
to site and depending upon the degree of
dependence upon this play space locally.
The more dependence, the higher the
quality and amenity required.
LOCAL
TABLE 2 - b
enchmarks for the design of play spaces
Size of the play space itself will vary, but
is unlikely to be smaller than 7000m2
plus peripheral facilities such as parking
and toilets.
Seamless accessibility to the site, to the
site, from car parking, into the park, and
to all facilities is required. Picnic facilities
and toilets must be fully accessible.
Most play activities should be accessible
to children and adults with disabilities.
Seamless access to more challenging
activities, and to a choice of settings
including natural areas is expected.
Play areas need to cater for all age
groups.
Sufficient amenities to accommodate
large numbers and groups. Car parking,
a seamless hierarchy of paths, accessible
toilets, built shade, BBQ’s, drinking water,
a choice of seats and probably more than
one shelter will be required.
High quality facilities, unique and
designed specifically for this space.
Sufficient interest to attract visitors for
longer duration stay.
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Regular inspections and maintenance.
Frequency of visits usually once every
6 weeks. Reactive response to safety
concerns within 24 hours, and to grafitti,
vandalism and other damage within 48
hours. Materials must be durable in local
conditions.
• Mail-out draft concept plan to residents
Management and
Community
Consultation Process
• Amend/modify design as required.
• Media
• Post information on Council’s website
• Advise local Village Committee
• Advise local Councillors
• Erect sign in the park showing concept
plan
Neighbourhood play spaces should be
viewed as part of a “package” within each
precinct, between them providing a diverse
range of play settings, activities, materials,
and products differing from others within the
same catchment.
Character and
Opportunities
Maintenance
Children need a range of neighbourhood
play opportunities. Combinations of built
play structures, open spaces, trails, hard
and soft surfaces, vegetation and free
choice ’loose’ landscapes and materials
provide the best value. Consider any and
all of these as play provision, as long as
there is a good local choice.
NEIGHBOURHOOD
Play Elements
CHARACTERISTICS
As per Neighbourhood classification.
Weekly inspections and maintenance.
Frequency of visits usually once every
6 weeks. Reactive response to safety
concerns within 24 hours, and to grafitti,
vandalism and other damage within 48
hours. Materials must be durable in local
conditions.
Local parks and play spaces need to
complement all other play spaces within the
same catchment.
Designs must provide good value for play
with open- ended elements for imaginative
and social play, and loose materials from
the environment to complement built
playground structures, physical activities;
bike play and hard and soft ball play areas.
LOCAL
• Erect sign in the park showing concept
plan
• Advise local Councillors
• Amend/modify design as required
• Public meeting if required
• Media
• Post information on Council’s website
• Amend/modify design as required.
• Public meeting if required
• Media
• Post information on Council’s website
• Advise local Village Committee
• Advise local Councillors
• Mail-out draft landscape concept plan to
residents within the catchment
• Advise local Village Committee
• Circulate Playground Questionnaire
• Erect sign in the park showing concept
plan
• Establish a steering committee of special
interest groups if applicable
• Mail-out draft landscape concept plan to
residents within catchment
• Identify major stakeholders
• Circulate Playground Questionnaire
Very frequent management inspections,
minimum weekly, possibly daily in busy
times. Higher degree of wear and tear
will be expected than for other sites.
Reactive response within 24 hrs. to safety
concernes,vandalism,grafitti etc.Choose
durable materials.
Should be unique. Regional Play spaces
and their parks should differ from one
another, wherever they are located.
Materials and style typically reflect the
character of the setting.
Play spaces need to be unique, reflecting
the character or theme of the site. The
‘package’ of attractions is an important
feature. Play spaces need to provide
a good range of physical, creative and
imaginative play settings for all children
and their families.
REGIONAL
• Identify major stakeholders
Regular inspections and maintenance, but
frequency of visits determined by usage
levels. May vary seasonally with usage
patterns. Specialist spaces such as skate
parks or courts also require frequent
inspections. Materials must be durable in
local conditions.
Play spaces need to complement others
of the same classification across the
municipality, but it is especially important
that adjacent District and Local parks
within the same catchments differ from one
another.
The package of attractions is an important
feature. Play spaces need to provide
a good range of physical, creative and
imaginative play settings for children of
all ages and their families. Some custom
design of elements will be expected to
create a distinctive space.
DISTRICT
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Section 4 - OVERVIEW, PRIORITIES AND IMPLEMENTATION PLAN
contents
4.1Introduction to Section 4
4.2Demographics, Demand and Supply - How play provision should respond to
housing d
ensity and demographic trends
4.3Establishment of Priorities
4.4City of Kingston Social and Demographic Data and Maps
4.5Kingston Precincts at a Glance
4.6Implementation Plan
Map 5Projected Concentrations of Persons Aged 5 to 9 years in 2013
Map 6Areas of Relative Social Disadvantage (SEIFA)
Map 7 Relative Population Density
Map 8 Play Strategy Recommendations - Action Plan
Table 3 Summary of Report Recommendations by Precinct
Table 4 Implementation Plan
Victory Park, Chelsea
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4.1Introduction
This Section,
▪▪ Introduces the impact of demographic trends on the demand for playgrounds.
▪▪ Presents a brief snapshot of the some relevant demographic and socio-economic data
for each Planning Area, includes summary maps of key data, and uses these to allocate
priority areas.
▪▪ Provides an overview of the recommendations made for each of the precincts and play
spaces in the City of Kingston, by Planning Area
Volume 2 of this report then presents a detailed summary of each reserve, with a list of assets and
recommendations for future works.
4.2Demographics, Demand and Supply - How play provision should respond to housing density and demographic trends
It is a basic premise of this report that most residents within the City of Kingston should have access
to a park or play space within walking distance from home. This is not always achievable but it is the
ideal.
Within this framework, some areas are likely to have a greater need or demand for public play provision
than others. These include:
▪▪ areas of higher density housing (where there are fewer private/back yard opportunities
for outdoor play),
▪▪ areas with concentrations of people with lower income and socio-economic disadvantage
(who may have fewer opportunities and choices in travelling to parks further away),
and,
▪▪ areas where there are greater numbers of children.
Housing Density
In principle, in areas where there are very small or no back yards, in areas where incomes might be
lower, and in higher density areas:
▪▪ more public open space may be required,
▪▪ public open space needs to be located closer to these homes,
▪▪ spaces need to meet the needs of all age groups, and
▪▪ the range of qualities in the spaces needs to be greater, with some spaces being less
manicured.
This issue is of great significance as the population of Kingston is projected to increase significantly over
coming decades. The protection and creation of useful open space will be of critical importance.
Demographics
Planning for the needs of specific age groups can be difficult because investment in parks infrastructure
needs to have a shelf-life of many years, during which time children grow up and their interests
change.
Although communities may be planned with a particular demographic group in mind, times will change
and there will always be blended families with multiple age groups, visitors and exceptions to the main
predicted demographic group, whose needs still must be met.
Communities dominated by older adults and retirees still need a good framework of play spaces.
Grandparents have taken on an increased role as child care providers, and play spaces that are
accessible and inclusive are increasingly useful for this group.
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For this reason, a basic framework of open space, parks and play spaces will always be required,
ready to be adapted in small ways as waves of children move in, grow up and move on. Some details
can be changed and the specifics of play elements can be adjusted over time, if required, but the
framework should remain in place.
4.3Establishment of Priorities
Some areas within the municipality will take on a greater priority for action. Of particular concern are
areas in which there are:
▪▪ large numbers of children, and /or
▪▪ higher densities of housing, and/or
▪▪ lower socio-economic indicators, coupled with
▪▪ a lack of parks and play areas.
Recommendations
It is recommended that particular attention should be paid to the quality and distribution of play
opportunities within Priority Areas. This might mean any or all of the following type of actions:
▪▪ seeking land to access in the future for parks and play spaces
▪▪ more detailed design detailing for play in existing parks
▪▪ programming, mobile play services, or other staffed options
▪▪ sharing space with schools, churches or other institutions.
4.4City of Kingston Social and Demographic Data and Maps
The principles discussed above have been applied to Kingston and are shown in the following
maps:
▪▪ Map 4 indicates the concentrations of children aged 0-4, 5-9 and 10-14 in the Kingston
population
▪▪ Map 5 indicates projected concentrations of children aged 0-4, 5-9 in the
population for 2013.
▪▪ Map 6 shows areas of relative social disadvantage as measured by the SEIFA index
5
▪▪ Map 7 shows relative population density.
Table 3 shows a summary of the recommendations for Kingston playgrounds, on a precinct by precinct
basis. Some areas have been identified which have groups of factors which would indicate a priority
classification.
All of the demographic data is sourced from the 2006 ABS Census, and analysed by Kingston City
Council.
5
SEIFA Index of Disadvantage
The Index of Relative Socio-Economic Disadvantage has "…been constructed so that relatively disadvantaged areas
(e.g. areas with many low income earners) have low index values.
The Index of Relative Socio-Economic Disadvantage is derived from attributes such as low income, low educational
attainment, high unemployment, jobs in relatively unskilled occupations and variables that reflect disadvantage rather
than measure specific aspects of disadvantage (e.g., Indigenous and Separated/Divorced).”
Source: http://profile.id.com.au/Default.aspx?id=135&pg=240&gid=10&type=enum accessed 25October 2009.
30
Mary Jeavons Landscape Architects
Mary Jeavons Landscape Architects
Dowling Road Reserve
Mavis Hutter Reserve
2 D – Clarinda
Sherbrooke Avenue Reserve
Dales Park
2 C – Oakleigh South
Leonard Close Reserve
Dalbeattie Drive Reserve
Bald Hill Park
2 B - Clarinda
Luain Avenue Reserve
2 A - Oakleigh South
1C - HighettSir William Fry Reserve
Highett Reserve (Turner Road)
1B - Highett
G R Bricker Reserve
Perry Street Reserve
1A - Moorabbin
PLANNING AREA &
PLAYGROUND PRECINCT
High concentration of
children aged 10 – 14 years.
DEMOGRAPHIC DATA
(IF APPLICABLE)
• Areas of relatively high social disadvantage
(SEIFA)
• Areas of relatively high social disadvantage
(SEIFA)
• Areas of high social disadvantage (SEIFA)
• Adequately resourced at the moment with Sir
William Fry Reserve. If proposed medium-density
housing proceeds at the former Gas & Fuel
site, consider the installation of a new Local
classification playground to meet the needs of
the new community given the significant physical
barriers of Nepean H’way and the rail line.
• Areas more than 400 to 500m away from
playgrounds
• Areas more than 400 to 500m away from
playgrounds
ANALYSIS
TABLE 3 - Summary of Report recommendations by Precinct
• Dowling Rd Reserve – recently refurbished.
• Minor improvements only.
• Improve playground at Bald Hill Reserve from a Neighbourhood
classification playground to a District classification playground
• Minor improvements recommended.
• New Local classification playground is being considered, if the
proposed medium-density residential area is constructed at the
former Gas & Fuel site.
• Re-classification of existing Local playground at Highett Reserve to
a District classification playground
• Re-classify existing playground at Bricker Reserve West to a
District Classification Playground.
• Remove Perry St Reserve.
• Future District classification playground proposed for Moorabbin
Reserve.
RECOMMENDATIONS
Table 3 lists each Planning Area, Playground Precinct and the playgrounds in each. It shows a summary of any socio-demographic issues which are
prominent, an indication of relative priority, and a brief summary of the recommendations made for each site, in Volume 2 of this Report.
4.5Kingston Precincts at a Glance
Kingston City Council Playground Strategy
Volume 1 - Principles, Planning and Design of Play Spaces in the City of Kingston
31
32
Meppel Drive Reserve
Keeley Park
3 D – Clayton South
First Street Reserve
• Large sections of this catchment are more
than 400 to 500m away from playgrounds.
• Area of highest social disadvantage in
Kingston (SEIFA).
• Large sections of this catchment are more
than 400 to 500m away from playgrounds.
• High level of dependence on only one
playground in this precinct.
• Recommend re-classifying Keeley Park from a Local classification
Playground to a District classification.
• Both playgrounds are important in this precinct.
• Improve whole-of-park facilities when playground is renewed.
• The Grange Reserve is the prominent District classification playground
due to its central location in the precinct and its proximity to facilities
such as soccer grounds &The Grange Nature Conservation area.
• It is recommended that, as playgrounds are renewed, a diversity of play
is provided for all age groups such that no one playground is like the
other.
• This precinct is well-served by 6 playgrounds.
• Namatjira Park – facilities recently improved.
• A new playground was recently constructed at Jacob/Sundowner
Reserve.
• Dowling Rd Reserve –recently refurbished.
RECOMMENDATIONS
3 C – Clayton South
• Area of highest social disadvantage in
Kingston (SEIFA).
• A small area within this precinct is more
than 400 to 500m away from playgrounds.
• Area of highest social disadvantage in
Kingston (SEIFA)
• Area of high social disadvantage (SEIFA)
• Areas of relatively high social disadvantage
(SEIFA)
• Areas of relatively high social disadvantage
(SEIFA)
ANALYSIS
• Proposed removal and re-location of Monster Park at Heatherton Park.
It is proposed that the focus of play at Heatherton Park should be at
the Ireland Road playground due to the proximity of the residential
catchment area, existing facilities such as the bbq and visibility.
High concentration of
children aged 10 – 14 years
High concentration of
children aged 10 – 14
DEMOGRAPHIC DATA
(IF APPLICABLE)
Heatherton Park (Ireland Road)
Heatherton Park (Monster Park)
Larado Place Reserve
Scott Avenue Reserve
The Grange Reserve
Sheldon Place Reserve
3 B – Clayton South
Warraweena Road Reserve
Bemboka Avenue Reserve
Namatjira Park
3 A – Clayton South
Jacobs / Sundowner Reserve
Hendon Street Reserve
2 E – Clarinda
Dowling Road Reserve
Mavis Hutter Reserve
2 D – Clarinda
PLANNING AREA &
PLAYGROUND PRECINCT
Kingston City Council Playground Strategy
Volume 1 - Principles, Planning and Design of Play Spaces in the City of Kingston
Mary Jeavons Landscape Architects
Mary Jeavons Landscape Architects
Golfwood Close Reserve
Golf Links Reserve
Rowan Road Reserve
Dingley Reserve
Coughlan Reserve
Greenwoods Reserve
Gartside Reserve
5B – Dingley Village
St. Georges Park Reserve
The Heath Estate Common
Henry Street Reserve
5A – Heatherton
Judd Street Reserve
4 E – Heatherton
Follett Street Reserve
Elliot Avenue Reserve
4 D – Cheltenham
Stanley Avenue Reserve
(Cheltenham Library)
High concentration of
children aged 10 – 14
years.
Relatively high
concentration of children
aged 0 – 4 years old.
• Recommend upgrading Dingley Reserve playground to a
significant District classification playground as a high priority.
• Recommend reclassifying Greenwoods Reserve from a
Neighbourhood classification to a Local classification playground.
• Access to playgrounds is limited by residential
neighbourhood design and the number of golf
courses.
• Dingley Reserve is the largest section of open
space with a playground that serves as a District
Classification playground.
• Recommend reclassifying Gartside Reserve from a
Neighbourhood classification to a Local classification playground.
• St Georges Park-minor improvements.
• It is proposed to upgrade the Henry Street Reserve playground to
a Local Area Classification.
• Focus on improving existing play and park facilities at Judd Street
Reserve.
• Improve play opportunities at both reserves and focus on toddler
activities.
• A new Town Park is planned for Stanley Avenue Reserve next
to Cheltenham Library that will serve local residents as well as
visitors to the Library and shopping centre precinct.
• Blackburn Drive Reserve and Kingston Heath Reserve both
recently upgraded.
• Focus on ensuring that LePage Park is the hub of the precinct
catering for all age groups and accessibility
RECOMMENDATIONS
• A large number of small, neighbourhood
playgrounds that are poorly connected.
• Very limited open space – only one reserve and
playground.
• Limited open space with only two playgrounds in
very small reserves.
• Variety of play is limited.
Page Street Reserve
Relatively high
concentration of children
aged
0 – 4 years old
• Increasing housing density
Jean Street Reserve
Brooker Street Reserve
• Limited open space in precinct
4 C – Cheltenham
Lincoln Drive Reserve
Blackburn Drive Reserve
Kingston Heath Reserve
4 B – Cheltenham/Heatherton
Glyn Court Reserve
Friendship Square Reserve
LePage Park
• South-western section more than 400 to 500m
away from playgrounds
• Four small, neighbourhood playgrounds, each of
which only serve immediate neighbourhoods.
Lorna Street Reserve
• Not well-provided with open space.
ANALYSIS
Silver Street/Jarradale Reserve
DEMOGRAPHIC DATA
(IF APPLICABLE)
4 A – Cheltenham
PLANNING AREA &
PLAYGROUND PRECINCT
Kingston City Council Playground Strategy
Volume 1 - Principles, Planning and Design of Play Spaces in the City of Kingston
33
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Parkdale Library – no playground at
present
Dolamore Reserve
6E – Parkdale
Mentone Lifesaving Club – Foreshore
Reserve
Keith Styles Municipal Gardens
6D – Mentone
Southern Road Reserve
Mentone Racecourse Reserve
6C – Mentone
Reg Marlow Reserve
6B – Mentone
Phillip Street Reserve
Patty Street Reserve
Balcombe Road Reserve
6A – Mentone /Parkdale
William Bardoel Park
Gumley Court Reserve
Chadwick Reserve
Balcombe Place Reserve
Cassava Court Reserve
Ashbourne Place Reserve
Williams Close Reserve
Holland Avenue Reserve
Laurie Barnett Reserve
5C – Dingley Village
PLANNING AREA &
PLAYGROUND PRECINCT
DEMOGRAPHIC DATA
(IF APPLICABLE)
• It is recommended to remove the small, two-piece playground at Mentone
Beach. It is not accessible and does not connect to the residential area. It
is also located in the middle of the beach path. Redesign access to picnic
area. Even with removal of playground, it is imperative that safe access to
the picnic area is provided.
• It is recommended that the playground at Dolamore Reserve should be
extended and reclassified from a Neighbourhood to a Local classification
playground.
• It is recommended that Council investigate the possibility of creating a new
Town Park classification playground at Parkdale Library.
• Extensive areas in this precinct are
more than 400 to 500m away from
playgrounds.
• Only one play space in this catchment
area.
• Improve connectivity at Southern Road Reserve
• It is recommended that the playground at Mentone Racecourse Reserve
should be reclassified as a District classification playground.
• A high priority is placed on the development of the park and playground
once the former Nylex site is developed.
• It is an important site on which demand will increase as the former Nylex
site is developed.
• Reg Marlow is the only playground in this precinct.
• When Balcombe Rd Reserve is due for replacement, a new playground is
suggested to complement the mature trees and terrain
• Opportunities to undertake minor equipment and accessibility
modifications.
• A small catchment area that is wellserved by Keith Styles Municipal
Gardens.
• Two playgrounds serve this catchment
area.
• Large sections of this catchment are
more than 400 to 500m away from
playgrounds
• Area is served well by three, welldistributed playgrounds.
• It is also suggested that a diversity of play spaces is developed for the
remaining 7 playgrounds.
• It is suggested that Ashbourne Place Reserve and Balcombe Place
Reserve should be removed when these playgrounds are eligible for
replacement due to the close proximity to other playgrounds.
• There are 9 playgrounds located in this
catchment area.
• 8 of these are very small, neighbourhood
classification playgrounds with little
variety in terms of play activities.
RECOMMENDATIONS
ANALYSIS
Kingston City Council Playground Strategy
Volume 1 - Principles, Planning and Design of Play Spaces in the City of Kingston
Mary Jeavons Landscape Architects
Mary Jeavons Landscape Architects
Regents Park
Lochiel Avenue Reserve
Carinya Avenue Reserve
Iluka Avenue Reserve
Albany Crescent Reserve
8A – Aspendale
Peter Scullin Reserve
7D – Mordialloc
Duggan Street Reserve
Brownfield Street Reserve
7C – Mordialloc
George Woods Reserve
Doug Denyer Reserve
White Street Reserve
Ben Kavanagh Reserve
7B – Mordialloc
Walter Galt Reserve
Gerry Green Reserve
Marriott Street Reserve
Grey Street Reserve
Ivy Marriott Reserve
Meribah Court Reserve
7A – Parkdale
Herbert St Reserve
McDonald Healy Playground
6F – Parkdale
PLANNING AREA &
PLAYGROUND PRECINCT
Relatively high
concentration of children
under 14 years old
High concentration of
children aged 0 – 4 years.
High concentration of
children aged 0 - 4
High concentration of
children aged 0 – 4 years.
DEMOGRAPHIC DATA
(IF APPLICABLE)
• Five playgrounds serve the catchment area.
Three are located in the centre of the precinct
and two are located at Regents Park.
• Shaded playspace.
• Significant Regional Classification playground on
the Mordialloc Foreshore with visitors travelling
from outside the Municipality.
• A mixture of residential and light industrial areas
with two playgrounds
• This precinct contains four playgrounds.
• It is recommended that Gerry Green Reserve should be developed
as a Local classification playground.
• The main playspaces are Walter Galt and Gerry
Green Reserves.
• Retain both playgrounds at Regents Park and improve the play
equipment at Lochiel Avenue Reserve to improve the use of this
space.
• Improve the playground at Albany Crescent Reserve as a priority
due to its significance to the local kindergarten and its connectivity
to the area.
• Provide shade for amenities such as seating and barbecues.
• Improve access-for-all.
• Increase play activities, especially swings.
• Improve playground and open space as playgrounds are renewed.
• It is suggested that the playground at George Woods Reserve
should be relocated and developed as a District classification
playground. George Woods Reserve also serves as a playground
for the northern section of Precinct 8A due to the footbridge and
the lack of playgrounds in the northern side of 8A.
• It is suggested that Doug Denyer Reserve should be developed as
a Local classification playground.
• It is suggested that the playground at Ivy Marriott Reserve should
be removed at the end of its natural life.
• It is recommended that Walter Galt Reserve should be developed
as a District classification playground.
• Minor improvements at Herbert St.
• Redesign playground and improve play equipment at McDonald
Healy.
RECOMMENDATIONS
• This playground catchment area is very wellserved by six playgrounds.
• Only two playgrounds serve this catchment area.
ANALYSIS
Kingston City Council Playground Strategy
Volume 1 - Principles, Planning and Design of Play Spaces in the City of Kingston
35
36
Victory Park
9C – Chelsea
Talab Reserve
Heights Park
Third Avenue Reserve
Amaroo Drive Reserve
9B – Chelsea Heights
Edithvale Recreation Reserve
8E – Edithvale
Branagan Drive Reserve
L.L. Stevenson Reserve
Kearney Drive Reserve
8D – Aspendale Gardens
Serpentine Ct Reserve
Merri Dr Reserve
8C – Waterways
Royal Palms Playground
Palm Grove Reserve
Amott Court Reserve
• The area is served by four playgrounds that are
well distributed.
Relatively high
concentration of children
under 14 years old
• Victory Park serves visitors to the beach, and a
long narrow strip of residential and commercial
precincts along the foreshore.
• Chelsea Heights Primary School also has a
playground that is accessible to the public.
• Heights Park is located on Department of
Education Land.
• One playground serves the whole precinct.
• L.L. Stevenson Reserve is a significant park due
to its proximity to the hub of Aspendale Gardens.
• Three playgrounds serve this precinct.
• The Parks Victoria, Braeside Park Regional
Playground also serves this precinct.
• Two playgrounds have been constructed at the
Waterways Estate. This is currently managed by
the Waterways Body Corporate.
• Four playgrounds are located in very close
proximity in this narrow strip located along Wells
Road.
ANALYSIS
Area of High Social
Disadvantage (SEIFA)
Relatively high
concentration of children
under 14 years old
Relatively high
concentration of children
under 14 years old
Relatively high
concentration of children
under 14 years old
8B – Aspendale Gardens
Winners Circle
DEMOGRAPHIC DATA
(IF APPLICABLE)
PLANNING AREA &
PLAYGROUND PRECINCT
• Victory Park has a newly finished District Classification playground,
completed in Dec.2008
• Clarify maintenance responsibilities between Council and the
Department of Education.
• Newly finished District Classification playground completed in
August, 2009 at Edithvale Recreation Reserve.
• It is recommended that L.L. Stevenson Reserve should be
developed as a significant Local classification playground
commensurate with its role as the main open space in the area
and its association with Aspendale Gardens Shopping Centre and
Community Centre.
• Ideally create a new Local Area playground near the Cafe on the
lake (if feasible), and also make minor changes to Serpentine Ct
playground.
• Minor improvements at Merri Dr
• If the responsibility for these sites is transferred to Kingston City
Council, then
• Improve diversity and accessibility at the other playgrounds
• It is recommended that when the playground at Amott Court
Reserve reaches the end of its useful life, Council will consult the
community and install a new neighbourhood play space.
RECOMMENDATIONS
Kingston City Council Playground Strategy
Volume 1 - Principles, Planning and Design of Play Spaces in the City of Kingston
Mary Jeavons Landscape Architects
Mary Jeavons Landscape Architects
• Three playgrounds are located in this precinct.
• Gladesville Boulevard is the main playground
and park located next to the Patterson Lakes
Kindergarten and local shops.
10D – Patterson Lakes
Arrunga Court Reserve
Gladesville Boulevard Reserve
Adelong Court Reserve
Legana Court Reserve
• Only one, small, neighbourhood classification
playground in the precinct.
• The precinct is served by only one playground.
10 C – Patterson Lakes
Tennyson Street Reserve (The
Launching Way) – former site of
playground on Parks Victoria land
Roy Dore Reserve
10B – Carrum
The Parkway Reserve (Harbourtown)
10A – Patterson Lakes
Glenola Road Reserve – no
playground at present
Scotch Parade Reserve
Area of High Social
Disadvantage (SEIFA)
• The main playground in this precinct is Bon
Beach Sports Reserve.
Relatively high
concentration of children
under 14 years old
Bonbeach Sports Reserve
• This precinct is served by one playground at
Harbourtown Park.
• This precinct is currently served by three
playgrounds.
Area of High Social
Disadvantage (SEIFA)
Mernda Avenue Reserve
9D – Bonbeach
ANALYSIS
DEMOGRAPHIC DATA
(IF APPLICABLE)
PLANNING AREA &
PLAYGROUND PRECINCT
• It is suggested that the small, two-piece playground at Arrunga
Court Reserve should be removed due to its lack of play value,
close proximity to the Patterson lakes Primary School playground
and its less than ideal location.
• It is recommended that Gladesville Boulevard Reserve playground
should be redeveloped; classification local playground; high
priority.
• Re-develop this space as a priority as the existing equipment is
too old.
• It is suggested that Council investigate the feasibility of
constructing a District/Regional classification playground on the
banks of the Patterson River at Tennyson Street.
• It is recommended that Roy Dore Reserve be improved as a
significant District classification playground; improving amenities
such as picnic facilities.
• Improve play opportunities, add amenities such as tables.
• It is proposed to construct a new Local playground at Glenola
Road Reserve to meet demand in the southern section of this
precinct.
• It is recommended to develop the playground at Bonbeach Sports
Reserve as a District Classification Playground
RECOMMENDATIONS
Kingston City Council Playground Strategy
Volume 1 - Principles, Planning and Design of Play Spaces in the City of Kingston
37
Kingston City Council Playground Strategy
Volume 1 - Principles, Planning and Design of Play Spaces in the City of Kingston
4.6implEmentation plan 2007 TO 2017
Based on the recommendations in the Playground Strategy and in conjunction with Council’s existing
Capital Works Playground Renewal Programme, Table 4 outlines a ten year implementation plan.
The plan takes into account the following factors:
▪▪ An assessment of existing playgrounds based on maintenance reports in order to
determine an approximate end of asset natural life date
▪▪ Predicted Capital Works Playground Renewal Budgets until 2016/2017
▪▪ Proposed playground classification upgrades as recommended in the report.
In predicting playground budget amounts, dollar values were based on average, existing costs to
build Local, District and Regional classification playgrounds. These prices will change as the years
go by due to CPI cost increases and changing material costs. Proposed re-classifications of some
playgrounds, such as from a Local classification playground to a District classification have been
included in the budget.
Playgrounds that are proposed as part of the developments such as the Gas & Fuel site in Highett
have not been included in the table as the cost to construct these playgrounds may be funded by other
agencies. The full cost of the proposed new playground at Tennyson Street (The Launching Way)
may also alter based on discussions with Parks Victoria – the land owner at this site. Playgrounds that
may be the subject of Master Planning processes, such as George Woods Reserve have also been
excluded and will be reviewed after the Master Plan process.
New playgrounds, defined as those that are proposed at locations at which there are currently no
playgrounds, are noted as a New Projects. It is recommended that these projects are funded as new
assets, and not as part of Council’s on-going Playground Renewal Programme.
In summary, the 10-year plan would result in:
▪▪ 49 playground renewals
▪▪ 6 new playgrounds, and
▪▪ 2 playground removals.
Based on asset management and playground standard guidelines, the expected average age of a
playground is 15 years
38
Mary Jeavons Landscape Architects
Mary Jeavons Landscape Architects
Victory Park
Stanley Avenue Reserve
Albany Crescent Reserve
Bicentennial Park
2009/2010
2009/2010
2009/2010
2010/2011 Sub-total
6E - Parkdale
Playground and Fitness Station renewal
$250,000
$100,000
$50,000
Dolomore Reserve
Playground renewal
2010/2011
3C - Clayton South
First Street Reserve
2010/2011
Playground renewal
$100,000
10B - Carrum
Roy Dore Reserve
2010/2011
$150,000 Commonwealth Government
and $150,000 Council
Mount Chelsea Mound Slide completed, rest of
playground scheduled for renewal in 2009/2010
$410,000
$60,000
N/A
$80,000
Playground renewal in 2009/2010
New playground construction
Playground renewal in 2009/2010
2009/2010 Sub-total (Council funds only)
9A - Chelsea
8A - Aspendale
4 A - Cheltenham
2B - Clarinda
$100,000
Bald Hill Park
Playground renewal in 2009/2010
2009/2010
1B - Highett
Highett Reserve (Turner Road)
2009/2010
Playground renewal in 2009/2010
$20,000
10C - Patterson Lakes
Legana Court Reserve
2009/2010
N/A
N/A
Completed playground renewal
N/A
2008/2009 SUB TOTAL
9C - Chelsea
Completed playground renewal
N/A
2008/2009
8E - Edithvale
Completed playground renewal
Edithvale Recreation Reserve
3A - Clayton South
2008/2009
N/A
Bemboka Avenue Reserve
Completed playground renewal
Completed playground renewal
N/A
2008/2009
2B - Clarinda
7B - Mordialloc
Completed playground renewal
N/A
N/A
White Street Reserve
2007/2008
4B - Cheltenham
Completed playground renewal
N/A
Leonard Close Reserve
Kingston Heath Reserve
2007/2008
4B - Cheltenham
Completed playground renewal
PLAYGROUND RENEWAL
BUDGET
2008/2009
Blackburn Drive Reserve
2007/2008
2E - Clarinda
RECOMMENDATION
N/A
Jacobs / Sundowner Reserve
2007/2008
PLANNING AREA/
PLAYGROUND PRECINCT
2007/2008 SUB TOTAL
PLAYGROUND
YEAR
Indicates specific new initiatives that are proposed to be funded outside of Council’s annual Playground Renewal Programme.
TABLE 4 - implementation plan 2007 to 2017
N/A
N/A
N/A
N/A
$70,000
N/A
N/A
$70,000
N/A
N/A
N/A
N/A
N/A
N/A
N/A
N/A
N/A
N/A
N/A
N/A
N/A
NEW PROJECT
BUDGET
Kingston City Council Playground Strategy
Volume 1 - Principles, Planning and Design of Play Spaces in the City of Kingston
39
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10B - Carrum
7A - Parkdale
1A - Moorabbin
Tennyson Street Reserve/
The Launching Way
The Grange Reserve
Lorna Street Reserve
Dingley Reserve
Gerry Green Reserve
Perry Street Reserve/
Moorabbin Oval
2011/2012
2011/2012
2011/2012
2011/2012
2011/2012
2011/2012
Mentone Racecourse Reserve
Glenola Road Reserve
2012/2013
2012/2013
Winners Circle, Palm Grove and
Arnott Court Reserves
L L Stevenson Reserve
2013/2014
2013/2014
2013/2014 Sub-total
8B - Aspendale Gardens
Parkdale Library
2013/2014
8D - Aspendale Gardens
6E - Parkdale
Reg Marlow Reserve
2013/2014
6B - Mentone
4C - Cheltenham
Playground renewal
Playground renewal and removal
Proposed new playground construction
Playground renewal
Playground renewal
$350,000
$80,000
$120,000
N/A
$70,000
$50,000
Page Street Reserve
2013/2014
Playground renewal
$30,000
1A - Moorabbin
G R Bricker Reserve (East & West)
2013/2014
N/A
$100,000
$90,000
$350,000
Proposed new playground construction
Playground renewal
Playground renewal
2012/2013 Sub-total
9D - Bonbeach
6C - Mentone
4A - Cheltenham
$110,000
Le Page Park
Playground renewal
2012/2013
3D - Clayton South
Keeley Park
2012/2013
Playground renewal
$50,000
2A - Oakleigh South
Luain Avenue Reserve
2012/2013
N/A
$90,000
$100,000
$30,000
$80,000
N/A
PLAYGROUND RENEWAL
BUDGET
$300,000
Proposed new playground and
amalgamation
Playground renewal
Playground renewal
Playground renewal
Playground renewal
Proposed New Playground construction
RECOMMENDATION
2011/2012 Sub-total (council funds only)
5B - Dingley Village
4A - Cheltenham
3B - Clayton South
PLANNING AREA/
PLAYGROUND
PRECINCT
PLAYGROUND
YEAR
$130,000
N/A
N/A
$60,000
N/A
N/A
$70,000
$70,000
$70,000
N/A
N/A
N/A
N/A
$300,000
$150,000
N/A
N/A
N/A
N/A
$150,000
NEW
PROJECT
BUDGET
Kingston City Council Playground Strategy
Volume 1 - Principles, Planning and Design of Play Spaces in the City of Kingston
Mary Jeavons Landscape Architects
Mary Jeavons Landscape Architects
Gladesville Boulevard Reserve
Warraweena Road Reserve
Heatherton Park (Ireland Road)
Henry Street Reserve
William Bardoel Park
Southern Road Reserve
2014/2015
2014/2015
2014/2015
2014/2015
2014/2015
2014/2015
6D - Mentone
7A - Parkdale
Hendon Street Reserve
Elliot Street Reserve
Chadwick Reserve
Keith Styles Municipal Gardens
Walter Galt Reserve
2015/2016
2015/2016
2015/2016
2015/2016
2015/2016
Brownfield Street Reserve
Third Avenue Reserve
Iluka Avenue Reserve
2016/2017
2016/2017
2016/2017
2016/2017 Sub-total
McDonald Healy Reserve
2016/2017
8A - Aspendale
9B - Chelsea Heights
7C - Mordialloc
6F - Mentone
4E - Heatherton
Playground renewal
Playground renewal
Playground renewal
Playground renewal
Playground renewal
$400,000
$50,000
$60,000
$60,000
$40,000
$40,000
$70,000
Judd Street Reserve
Playground renewal
2016/2017
2D - Clarinda
Dowling Road Reserve
2016/2017
Playground renewal
$80,000
2C - Oakleigh South
Bon Beach Sports Reserve
2016/2017
$100,000
$70,000
$70,000
$30,000
$60,000
$70,000
$350,000
$60,000
$60,000
$40,000
$60,000
$50,000
$80,000
PLAYGROUND RENEWAL
BUDGET
$400,000
Playground renewal
Playground renewal
Playground renewal
Playground renewal
Playground renewal
Playground renewal
Playground renewal
Playground renewal
Playground renewal
Playground renewal
Playground renewal
Playground renewal
RECOMMENDATION
2015/2016 Sub-total
5C - Dingley Village
4D - Cheltenham
2E - Clarinda
Harbourtown Park (The Parkway
Reserve)
10A - Patterson Lakes
6C - Mentone
5C - Dingley Village
5A - Heatherton
3B - Clayton South
3A - Clayton South
10D - Patterson Lakes
PLANNING AREA/
PLAYGROUND
PRECINCT
2015/2016
2014/2015 Sub-total
PLAYGROUND
YEAR
N/A
N/A
N/A
N/A
N/A
N/A
N/A
N/A
N/A
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Kingston City Council Playground Strategy
Volume 1 - Principles, Planning and Design of Play Spaces in the City of Kingston
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Kingston City Council Playground Strategy
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Volume 1 - Principles, Planning and Design of Play Spaces in the City of Kingston
Mary Jeavons Landscape Architects
Kingston City Council Playground Strategy
Volume 1 - Principles, Planning and Design of Play Spaces in the City of Kingston
Section 5 - COMMUNITY CONSULTATION
contents
5.1Introduction
5.2Feedback on Individual Play Spaces
5.3General Comments on Park and Play Spaces
5.4Community Consultation
Bicentennial Park, Chelsea
Mary Jeavons Landscape Architects
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Kingston City Council Playground Strategy
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Volume 1 - Principles, Planning and Design of Play Spaces in the City of Kingston
Mary Jeavons Landscape Architects
Kingston City Council Playground Strategy
Volume 1 - Principles, Planning and Design of Play Spaces in the City of Kingston
5.1Introduction
At the beginning of the process of developing the Playground Strategy, a written questionnaire was
circulated to all primary schools, kindergartens in the City of Kingston, seeking feedback on the
existing parks and playgrounds in the municipality.
Approximately 100 surveys were returned and these were analysed. The information has been used
in the assessment of parks and play spaces in Volume 2 of this report.
5.2Feedback on Individual Play spaces
(Note: some of these parks have been upgraded since these comments were received).
Feedback on individual play spaces
PARK NAME
LIKES
Bicentennial Park
Slide??
DISLIKES
COMMENTS
RESPONDENT
ADDRESS
Aspendale
Slide
Toilet Dirty, Improve Surface
to get up slide
Chelsea
New paths, Slide, New trees,
New upgrade
Toilet Block, Cleaning
Schedule not working
Chelsea
Slide
Toilet Scary & Dirty
Chelsea
Restored Traffic Lights part
of History
Chelsea
No Shade, Toilets not Clean
Carrum Downs
Big Slide, Rock Climbing
No Access for CWAD
Chelsea
Large Slide, New Equipment
Toilets Dirty & Dangerous
Edithvale
Slide, Variety of Activity
Toilets smelly, dirty & badly
maintained
Carrum Downs
Everything
Treated Pine Surround a trip
hazard
Chelsea
Everything just brilliant - well
utilized
Edithvale
Well set out & Child friendly
Chelsea
The Space
Equipment outdated. Improve
Catering for all abilities,
toddlers
Chelsea
Love it! All ages can have
birthday parties and Family
gatherings
Aspendale
Slide
Parkdale
Difficult to cross road, Drink
tap is poor
Chelsea
Different age groups
New fencing terrific, open &
colourful, Good parking
Aspendale
Toilets Shabby & need work
Child with Spina
Bifida
Slide Layout
Edithvale Rec Reserve
Edithvale
Needs Upgrade
Nothing to use. Needs Seats,
BBQ, Trees
Mary Jeavons Landscape Architects
Edithvale
Edithvale
Lives opposite has a child with
a disability - can't
climb. Add special
items for children
with a disability
Edithvale
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Kingston City Council Playground Strategy
Volume 1 - Principles, Planning and Design of Play Spaces in the City of Kingston
Feedback on individual play spaces, cont.
PARK NAME
LIKES
DISLIKES
COMMENTS
Hates it - outdated
equipment, old, clean it up,
upgrade it, landscape it.
Amenities in Edithvale under
resourced
Edithvale
Highett Reserve
Little slice of nature. Love the
place. Make friends. Likes
3 drink fountains and can
socialise with dogs on the
walking tracks. Basketball
court.
Kingston Heath
Things that go round. General
Upgrade.
Cheltenham
General - Good quality
equipment. Parking.
Cheltenham
New Playground Great
Big gap in playground for
4-8yo. Uneven running
surface.
RESPONDENT
ADDRESS
Disabled access
required. Hostel
for PWAD nearby.
Like to see climbing
ropes, sand pit,
seating, sail shelter,
BBQ and permitted
parking around
ovals. Would like
imaginative play for
4-8 yr olds.
Monkey Bars too high
Highett
Aspendale
Loves it. Variety of things,
especially the Teacup. Loves
fact for all ages.
Cheltenham
Has facilities for all age
groups. Clean & safe. Clean
& safe toilets
Cheltenham
Great new equipment, all
ages. Love Toadstools
Mentone
Spider web Fantastic.
Landscaping very well done.
Lots of shade, dry creek bed,
curved sheets.
Parkdale
New playground beautiful &
should be replicated
Aspendale
Loves Mushrooms
Parkdale
Likes new walking tracks,
rubber, sand pit, mushrooms
& lots of swings, slides.
Airport stimulating air craft.
Mordialloc
Everything
Mordialloc
Equipment. Likes sand, all
ages. Love new playground.
Likes that it is wood & not
metal. Toilets, BBQs, Bins.
Mentone
Excellent. Loves sand pit &
fire engine. Close to Café &
good for Mums.
Mordialloc
Picnic, Toilets
Aspendale
Namatjira Park
Playground, new BBQ,
Soccer, Skate, Rebound
Tennis.
Clarinda
Blackburn Drive Reserve
Mushroom
White Street Reserve
Entirely Fenced & Gates
46
Should put gates on fence
Cheltenham
Kinder teacher
Aspendale
Frankston
Mary Jeavons Landscape Architects
Kingston City Council Playground Strategy
Volume 1 - Principles, Planning and Design of Play Spaces in the City of Kingston
Feedback on individual play spaces, cont.
PARK NAME
LIKES
White Street Reserve
Loves Fence
Balcombe Road Reserve
Peter Scullin Reserve
Flying Fox
COMMENTS
RESPONDENT
ADRESS
Aspendale
Slope makes it difficult for
younger Children.
Mentone
No shade, slippery, sandy
soil.
Chelsea
Not enough Shade or Seats
Aspendale
New Fences, Distance away
from cars
Cheltenham
Shade Sails
Chelsea
Loves it. Lots of shade
& seats. Close to Public
Transport
Mentone
Great. Shade over equipment
.
DISLIKES
Not enough Swings.
Shade over tables
would be good.
Parkdale
Adventure Play
Parkdale
Rubber. Range of equipment
for all ages
Edithvale
Loves Flying Fox`
Aspendale
Gardens
Loves rubber, Nautical
theme. Loves equipment use as a benchmark.
Chelsea
Walter Galt Reserve
Too small
Parkdale
Gets too busy when sessions
at Gym finish. Needs more
equipment
Mordialloc
Doesn't have the same
variety as Kingston Heath
Parkdale
Too busy
Mordialloc
Would like more walking
tracks to aid disabled people
Mordialloc
Too crowded. Should be like
Kingston Heath
Mordialloc
Not enough room for the
number of people using it.
Parkdale
Needs paths.
Mordialloc
Great near pool. Excellent
See Saw
Chelsea
Kearney Drive Reserve
No shade. Limited equipment.
No age or stage of
equipment. Boring
Gladesville Bvd
Too many dog owners - no
regard for children
Kinder Kids 10
sessions
Patterson Lakes
No improvements
Could divide off into
a dog area separate
from children. Add a
new tap, fence etc.
Cheltenham
Snowdon Drive Reserve
(not a Playground)
Fenced off, Dogs off leash.
Good to train seeing eye
dogs
Oak Avenue Playground
No bin, Dog Poo, Fire pole
landing too far for small
children
Cheltenham
Dog Poo, no bin, dogs off
lead
Cheltenham
No bins. Would like gates for
toddler
Mary Jeavons Landscape Architects
Aspendale
Gardens
When Nylex fence
goes ahead please
consider bins &
Landscaping
Mentone
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Kingston City Council Playground Strategy
Volume 1 - Principles, Planning and Design of Play Spaces in the City of Kingston
Feedback on individual play spaces, cont.
PARK NAME
LIKES
Oak Avenue Playground
Fenced off, off leash (trains
seeing eye dog)
DISLIKES
COMMENTS
No bins.
Harbour Town
Cheltenham
Would like
Basketball half court
Victory Park
Great for Toddlers, Natural
features, near shops
RESPONDENT
ADDRESS
Patterson Lakes
Old equipment
Chelsea
Needs more BBQs & seats
Edithvale
Seating appalling, more bins,
more trees, needs more seats
for pregnant / breast feeding
Chelsea
Very isolated with dodgy
people, lacking active
surveillance. Will see how it is
improved.
Chelsea
Disgusting toilet. No baby
change facilities
Chelsea
Albany Crescent
Big Playground Castles
Aspendale
No fencing, Bare, old, when
equipment is broken it is not
repaired.
Needs Shade.
Equipment for
imaginative play
Aspendale
Old, No shade
Just needs
equipment. Needs
landscaping
Aspendale
Needs attention. Looks Sad.
Needs bin, drink fountain new
trees, Graffiti removal.
Next to a Kinder
Aspendale
Nothing here. Lacks
equipment & Shade
Aspendale.
Hate it. Not enough
equipment. Near kinder.
Should be a high priority
Aspendale
Not enough equipment.
Children are bored.
Aspendale
Inappropriate equipment for
kinder 3-4yolds. Not enough
equipment. Needs trees &
shade. Equipment id for tiny
kids.
Frankston
Equipment not Shaded & not
suited to younger children.
Mentone
Limited equipment
Mentone
Gravel Path (dug up concrete
path), Needs more seating
& BBQ
Mentone
Limited equipment. New
Caterpillar has 2 seats but
separation not enough so
kids bump heads.
Mentone
Gerry Green Reserve
(Sports)
Tired, no appeal, only young
Children & toddlers. Well
used by Parkdale Primary.
Parkdale
Lorna Street Reserve
Equipment too basic even for
pre school
Cheltenham
Carinya Avenue Reserve
Naples Road / Mentone
Foreshore
New Tables & BBQ
Keith Styles Municipal
Garden
Good combination of open
space & equipment. Large
trees. Close to Public
Transport
Pleasant Park
48
Dated equipment. No shade.
Well below par. New entrance
Young families - new
development. Shade.
Trees. Teen/Adult
Exercise equipment.
More users
Cheltenham
Mary Jeavons Landscape Architects
Kingston City Council Playground Strategy
Volume 1 - Principles, Planning and Design of Play Spaces in the City of Kingston
Feedback on individual play spaces, cont.
DISLIKES
LIKES
Roy Dore
Watching Children in the
park. Fitness equipment
Edithvale
Rowans Road Reserve
Skate Ramp
Dingley
Silver Street Reserve
COMMENTS
RESPONDENT
ADDRESS
PARK NAME
Equipment too basic even for
preschoolers
Cheltenham
Mentone Racecourse
Reserve
Feeding Ducks
Cheltenham
Braeside Park
Riding Track
Aspendale
Aspendale Footy
Trees, Shade
Aspendale
Le Page Park
Nice shade for Sunny days
Cheltenham
5.3General comments on park and play spaces
COMMENTS - Would like more . . . .
No. of
mentions
Shade
17
Bike riding
1
Specifically shade sails
2
A pirate ship somewhere in the municipality
1
Shade Trees
1
See saws
1
Grass
1
Sensory experiences in playgrounds
1
Grass for ball games
1
Nature (helps children with autism 1)
3
Bins
1
Dirt digging veggies in Kinds zones
1
Toilets
1
Gardens with rocks, sand and diggers
1
BBQ’s
1
Use more ‘brown sites’ to develop as open space
1
More seats for elderly
1
Produce a facilities map
1
More seats for adults
2
Cafes in parks
3
Rubaroc
3
Fences
2
Activities close to ground for babies
2
Gates
3
Activities for toddlers
1
Places to exercise dogs and children together
1
Experiences for children aged 0-5 years
1
No smoking signs in playgrounds
1
Equipment for older children/climbing agility
1
Put a playground at Aspendale Foreshore
1
Activities for all kids /all age groups
2
Playgrounds need to grow( baby boom)
1
Keep teenagers out
1
Sanitized
1
Adult equipment
3
Not enough playgrounds in Kingston
1
Age appropriate sections
1
Other playgrounds people like
Playgrounds accessible to children with a disability
1
Maroondah State Park
3
Consult with parents of children with a disability
1
Moorabbin Airport
3
Swings for disabled
1
Thomas St Brighton
1
Swings
1
Frankston foreshore
2
Wooden equipment
1
Dendy St Sand pit/toddler play
3
Goal posts
1
Glen Eira-Allnut and Halley Park
1
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Kingston City Council Playground Strategy
Volume 1 - Principles, Planning and Design of Play Spaces in the City of Kingston
5.4COMMUNITY CONSULTATION PROCESs
Involving the community wherever possible in a truly participative model.
The community’s views and opinions are a valuable and essential contribution to the success of
any playground renewal or playground design process, providing local knowledge and reflecting the
needs of local communities. By taking local issues into account, playgrounds and parks are likely to
represent better value for money and to increase resident satisfaction.
A robust, two-way communication process assists both Council and residents. When Council proposes
changes to playgrounds and parks, Council is not always aware of the ways the local community uses
the park. In turn, residents do not always understand some of the issues with which Council deals
such as playground standards and legal issues.
Principles
It is recommended that Council take frequent opportunities to consult with residents regarding
playgrounds and parks through:
▪▪ On-going opportunities for residents to contribute information and local knowledge,
▪▪ Formal processes to invite participation regarding proposals for major changes,
▪▪ Information such as Council policies, Australian Standard requirements or legal
obligations that will affect the project should be provided to residents to inform their
decision making process.
In all cases, it is recommended that a consultation process should occur before a design is finalised. General Recommendations for Community Consultation
▪▪ Before starting a design process, the designer should make observations of how a
playground and open space is used at busy times and where possible speak to users –
there is no substitute for local knowledge.
▪▪ For larger-sized projects such as District and Regional classification playgrounds and
parks, a formal information gathering process such as a playground questionnaire/
survey is useful before preparing concept designs. This is considered a valuable
process because it can serve to alert the designer to site-specific issues and needs. This process should be structured to capture children’s views.
▪▪ Once a concept design has been completed, residents living in the playground catchment
area should be provided with a copy of the design and a description of the scope of
works so that they can make comments and suggest alterations. This can be achieved
through a local area mail-out and by erecting signs at the playground.
▪▪ Information contained in drawings and concept plans should be clear and easily
interpreted by the community with a focus more on images and elevation views rather
than plan or layout views.
▪▪ A clear feedback period should be nominated.
▪▪ Residents should be informed that strategic or legal issues may mean that their individual
preferences cannot always be met.
▪▪ The privacy of residents must always be respected.
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Mary Jeavons Landscape Architects
Kingston City Council Playground Strategy
Volume 1 - Principles, Planning and Design of Play Spaces in the City of Kingston
Community Consultation for Neighbourhood and Local Classification Playgrounds
▪▪ Site analysis
▪▪ Preparation of draft concept design
▪▪ Community consultation including:
▪▪ Mail-out of draft landscape concept plan and description to residents within the playground
catchment area
▪▪ Erect public notice boards displaying the concept plan at the playground/park
▪▪ Advise local Councillors
▪▪ Advise local Village Committee
▪▪ Post information on Council’s website
▪▪ Media
▪▪ Amend/modify design as required.
Community Consultation for District and Town Park Classification Playgrounds
▪▪ Site analysis
▪▪ Identify any major stakeholders such as abutting land authorities
▪▪ Playground Survey/Questionnaire
▪▪ Preparation of draft concept design
▪▪ Community consultation including:
▪▪ Mail-out of draft landscape concept plan and description to residents within the playground
catchment area.
▪▪ Erect public notice boards displaying the concept plan at the playground/park
▪▪ Advise local Councillors
▪▪ Advise local Village Committee
▪▪ Post information on Council’s website
▪▪ Media
▪▪ Public meeting if required
▪▪ Amend/modify design as required
Community Consultation for Regional Classification Playgrounds
▪▪ Site analysis
▪▪ Identify any major stakeholders such as abutting land authorities
▪▪ A steering committee comprising representatives of special interest groups may
need to be established. This may involve representatives of children and adults with
disabilities, local residents, children of different age groups including teens, community
groups, Village Committee representatives and other groups that may be involved with
a particular site
▪▪ Playground Survey/Questionnaire
▪▪ Preparation of draft concept design
Mary Jeavons Landscape Architects
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Kingston City Council Playground Strategy
Volume 1 - Principles, Planning and Design of Play Spaces in the City of Kingston
▪▪ Community consultation including:
––Mail-out of draft landscape concept plan and description to residents within the playground
catchment area
––Erect public notice boards displaying the concept plan at the playground/park
––Advise local Councillors
––Advise local Village Committee
––Post information on Council’s website
––Media
▪▪ Public meeting if required
▪▪ Amend/modify design as required.
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Mary Jeavons Landscape Architects
Kingston City Council Playground Strategy
Volume 1 - Principles, Planning and Design of Play Spaces in the City of Kingston
Section 6 - park and pLAYGROUND DESIGN guidelines
contents
6.1Access to Parks - Information, Transport and Parking
6.2Access to Parks - Paths and Accessible Routes
6.3Access within Play Areas - Dealing with Mulch Borders
6.4Park Furniture
6.5Shade and Sun Protection in Play Spaces
6.6Drinking Water
6.7Fences and Play Areas
6.8Toilets
6.9Designing for Play in the Landscape
6.10 Spatial Definition and Landform in Play Spaces
6.11Planting for Play Spaces
6.12Play Spaces and Disability - Implications for Playground Design
6.13Getting the Best Play Value out of Play Space Design
6.14Core Play Activities for Local / Neighbourhood Parks
6.15Designing Play Spaces for Different Age Groups
6.16Playground Safety Standards
6.17Recommendations for Audits and Safety Inspections in Playgrounds
Kingston Heath Reserve, Cheltenham
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Kingston City Council Playground Strategy
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Volume 1 - Principles, Planning and Design of Play Spaces in the City of Kingston
Mary Jeavons Landscape Architects
Kingston City Council Playground Strategy
Volume 1 - Principles, Planning and Design of Play Spaces in the City of Kingston
6.1ACCESS TO PARKS – INFORMATION, TRANSPORT AND PARKING
Transport
Public transport and car parking are important considerations for many people, including those with
disabilities, and these are especially important for District and Regional parks. They determine how
visitors can access the park and play space safely. Public transport to parks is important for families
who do not have a vehicle, or when a parent is unable to drive. Safe, seamless access from the road,
bus stop or train station is required as well as from the car park into the park or playground.
Website Information
It is recommended that Kingston City Council upgrades its website with information about which parks
are accessible, then it would be helpful to include any available information about public transport,
especially to District and Regional Parks.
Car Parking
Parking and safe unloading of a person in a wheelchair requires:
▪▪ designated parking that is wide enough for unloading from either the side or the rear of
the vehicle, and
▪▪ kerb crossings which allow direct access from the rear of the vehicle straight onto the
footpath, which is the safest and most convenient.
Once unloaded, seamless access into the park is required to make the park and play space universally
accessible. This requires:
▪▪ a convenient path without level changes, (or puddles, erosion and root damage) and
▪▪ a suitably wide opening through fences or barriers.
Arrival for Groups
Sometimes when groups of people arrive at a park by bus, it is helpful to have an arrival/waiting area
where they can wait if necessary while a carer or group member parks the vehicle. A safe entry area
with seating on the inside of any fence or barrier will be welcomed by these groups. This is a particular
consideration for the design of higher level parks such as Regional Parks.
6.2ACCESS INTO PARKS - Paths and Accessible Routes
A path system is a basic requirement for most public spaces. A path needs to link the entries of the
park to a choice of seats, to the play area, and to any amenities such as shelter, picnic area, bbq or
toilets. If these are provided they need to be universally accessible.
Though main entry paths need to be wide enough to accommodate two people walking side by
side, not all paths need to be as wide, and a hierarchy of paths allows more intimate spaces to be
accessed. Narrow paths make natural areas accessible but these are more suitable for secondary
paths rather than for main access ways.
The suitability of paths depends upon the size of the park or play space. It is worth noting, that small
spaces can be dominated by paths. This should be avoided. A path can be a useful design element
and can be used for play as well as for access. They simply require thought, some creativity, and to
be placed in the right place and not where they intrude into other spaces.
Path Maintenance
Ensure that the runoff on gravel paths is dealt with in such a way that it does not cause erosion, which
in turn can be a barrier.
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Kingston City Council Playground Strategy
Volume 1 - Principles, Planning and Design of Play Spaces in the City of Kingston
6.3ACCESS WITHIN PLAY AREAS - DEALING WITH MULCH BORDERS
Many play spaces have raised borders around a bed of mulch around the play equipment. This is a
difficult set of barriers for some children (and adults) to negotiate, especially if they have a disability. The main issue is how to provide access within the fall zone of the equipment and across an area of
impact absorbing surface (typically mulch).
▪▪ Rubber surfacing and matting provides the obvious solution and when used, a seamless
connection via such a material can be laid to accessible play elements and around the
play space itself. They must meet flush with adjacent surfaces.
▪▪ To be useful, such paths or routes need to be wide enough for wheelchairs to use
easily, with no steep edges dropping into the mulch, and with wide enough manoeuvring
spaces and turning areas.
Seamless surfaces can combine more than one material and make access much easier for everyone
Synthetic surfaces are more expensive and sometimes will simply not be feasible, even in small
quantities. In such circumstances, other simple design considerations will make a huge difference to
children with a mobility impairment. The main objective is to eliminate a high border around the mulch,
(this will also improve the appearance of the space).
Raised borders provide a barrier to many children and adults with a disability
Where possible:
▪▪ excavate so the mulch is level with the surrounding surface (but only if drainage is
excellent), or
▪▪ gently batter up, so the surrounding levels meet level with the top of the border (again
check the drainage)
▪▪ extruded concrete edging with crossings, as frequently used by Kingston, is effective
▪▪ if necessary a design feature such as a built bridge or jetty can be used to provide an
accessible entry into a play space if fall zone issues can be solved.
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Mary Jeavons Landscape Architects
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Volume 1 - Principles, Planning and Design of Play Spaces in the City of Kingston
6.4PARK FURNITURE
Provide a choice of seating types for adults, and locate these in summer-shade and winter sun. It is
important to provide some seats with backs and arm rests, and to ensure that some if not all seating
areas have barrier-free access
▪▪ Consider locating accessible seating and tables ‘donut’ style, within the heart of a play
space, with the play activities wrapped around this central zone
▪▪ Arrange seating in social groupings so that parents and carers have a chance to talk
together.
▪▪ Some seating can be simple perching places such as a log or a rock. These can function
well within play areas, as long as they are not the only form of seating.
▪▪ Consider how a person with a disability could use park furniture alongside their friends
and family:
▪▪ Choose furniture that has no protruding ‘foot’ under table and seat, or a bar joining seat
to table. These can block an elderly person shuffling into a seat. ▪▪ Leave spaces next to park benches, so people using wheelchairs can sit with others.
▪▪ Design a choice of places where people in wheelchairs can sit at tables. This means:
––­ Choosing furniture products carefully.
––­ Providing tables with an overhang at the ends, and/ or with spaces for wheelchairs at
either side.
––­ Giving carers a choice so they can help people with a disability from their preferred side.
––­ Ensuring that there is room to manoeuvre a wheelchair into the accessible positions.
6.5SHADE AND SUN PROTECTION IN PLAY SPACES
Importance of Shade
Australia has the highest incidence of skin cancer in the world. Shade has become an integral part of
the design of a play space and needs to be addressed at an early stage in the planning and design
process.6
The amount of time spent in the sun and the time of day are critical factors in determining exposure.
Playgrounds that attract visits of a longer duration require more particular attention to shade
provision.
Winter sun is also important. The provision of shade should be designed to permit sunlight penetration
during these months.
Everyone needs access to shade. Children on some medication, and those with vision impairments
and other conditions, are particularly sensitive to the sun, so shade is especially important to them.
The surface surrounding the play area determines levels of reflection and U.V. exposure. Soft, darkercoloured, complex surfaces such as grass have low reflective indexes whereas dry sand and paved
areas have a high reflective index. Wet sand has a much lower reflective index than dry sand.
6
Undercover - Guidelines for Shade Planning and Design (Amended for use in South Australia)
Anti Cancer Council of South Australia, 2000, J. S. Greenwood
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Kingston City Council Playground Strategy
Volume 1 - Principles, Planning and Design of Play Spaces in the City of Kingston
Shade is especially beneficial over sand play areas
General Recommendations for Shade in Playgrounds
egional playgrounds should be designed to provide effective summer shade over substantial parts of
R
the play area. Much of this shade needs to be functional from the opening day, District playgrounds
must provide a choice of shaded play areas within the site. Some of these may include roofed areas
for immediate shade, supplemented by tree shade.
Design local and neighbourhood playgrounds to take advantage of shade from existing trees,
incorporate new tree planting for future shade. Sources of shade should be close enough to the
playground to project shade over the play area, equipment and seating areas.
Consider the higher cost of built shade, which can absorb a high percentage of the
budget for neighbourhood and local playgrounds
Shade Orientation
Effective shade is needed at three critical times of the day - depending upon how a site is used:
▪▪ For morning use, shade needs to be provided from the east. Many parents bring preschool aged children out for a play in the morning, before going home for lunch
▪▪ Mid-day users need protection from overhead sun.
▪▪ Afternoon users (ie. after school and later on summer days), need shade from the
west.
Certain play settings need special consideration for effective shade and wind protection.
These include:
▪▪ Sand-play areas, because of the high reflective index and the fact that children are often
sedentary for some time in sand.
▪▪ Play areas for younger children and those in which children with disabilities play, (as
they may be unable to move out of the sun).
▪▪ Steel and aluminium components, especially slide bedways, seats, and grips, and also
some synthetic surfaces, (as these can burn skin in very hot sun).
Appropriate provision for shade can be made in many ways. The most successful
shade solutions are often those that offer a choice of types of shade.
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Volume 1 - Principles, Planning and Design of Play Spaces in the City of Kingston
Tree Shade
Trees provide one of the most attractive and multi-purpose forms of shade and have a major positive
impact on the aesthetics and on the environment of any site. Trees also have major play value and
often determine the essential character of a site. Park users consistently report their preferences for
trees in parks and playgrounds.
▪▪ Every site needs a basic framework of tree planting that will possibly take time to establish
and will be an investment in the future.
▪▪ Trees can be close to playgrounds and within the play space itself, as long as they do not
pose a specific hazard to users. If they are intended for climbing, it is prudent to provide
softfall mulch within the fall zone. Wet-pour synthetic materials should be avoided around
the trunks of trees, as penetration of air and water to roots is vital.
▪▪ If possible, choose a site for a new play space where there are existing mature trees that
can provide at least some effective shade.
▪▪ Plant trees as early as possible, preferably well before the playground is installed.
▪▪ Use advanced species where possible. Re-plant any losses.
▪▪ Ensure that the protection of existing trees and root zones is an accountable part of any
works contract.
▪▪ Choose species that have a lower propensity to drop limbs, shed messy fruit or slippery
pods on paths, or which have other undesirable properties or hazards.
▪▪ Avoid species with irritant or toxic parts, especially where young children might be
expected to play.
▪▪ Trees which are tough and drought resistant are more likely to withstand the rigours of
a play environment.
▪▪ Take care that low level branches do not provide sharp protrusions at eye level, but
where possible, allow children to enjoy access to lower branches for play if this has no
negative impacts.
▪▪ Select species with interesting forms for play, and for their memorable characteristics.
▪▪ Consider deciduous trees that provide winter sun and summer shade.
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Shade Awnings and Sails
▪▪ Shade sail structures comprise tensioned fabric supported by poles of various heights
and angles. They can have an attractive and dramatic appearance and can be an integral
part of a new playground design.
▪▪ They can also be costly and require on-going maintenance including cleaning and retensioning.
▪▪ These structures can often be designed to complement tree shade.
▪▪ Fabrics vary considerably in durability and U.V. protection.
▪▪ Shade sails may be ineffective if they allow morning or afternoon sun penetration under
the sides.
▪▪ If sails are low enough to provide projected shade, there is an increased chance these
structures can sometimes be climbed upon, which has resulted in injury and even deaths
from falls.
▪▪ Shade sail structures may have large footings that can cause problems for the design of
fall zones in playgrounds, especially in small spaces.
▪▪ Shade sails may be easily stolen and vandalised and may not be any less expensive
than a roof. Shade sails are often targets for vandals to set-alight or tear.
▪▪ Sails and awnings should not be used on sites that have poor surveillance and a history
of vandalism, without special design considerations that reduce this risk.
▪▪ If shade sails are selected as the main form of shade, they must comply with planning
requirements and be engineered to meet current safety requirements, be designed to
project sufficient shade at the peak times of use, and must be carefully placed so there
is no climbing opportunity from adjacent play equipment or other elements.
▪▪ It is advisable that trees be planted at the sides to project supplementary shade.
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Roof Shade
▪▪ Roofs can provide a strong visual and aesthetic statement. They vary a lot in their
effectiveness for sun protection.
▪▪ Typical small roofs over tiny play equipment decks have virtually no benefit for shade.
▪▪ A generously sized shelter roof will provide all weather protection and is likely to provide
good value. Roofs can be designed as an integral part of a playground and can shade
slides from the western and eastern sun, sand play areas, and structures.
▪▪ They are less-easily vandalised from below, and are durable. Climbing on roofs remains
a problem.
▪▪ There is a variety of suitable materials including those that can admit light but not U.V.
rays including custom orb/corrugated iron, polycarbonates, timber slats, mesh and even
pergolas with planting.
▪▪ An East-West orientation of a rectangular shaped roof maximises the shade over a play
area located under the middle of the roof, while maximising winter sun penetration.
▪▪ To be most effective, roofs need to be carefully located to ensure that shade projects
over the play area during times of maximum usage.
▪▪ Both roofs and sails should be complemented by tree shade, preferably on the eastern
and western sides.
▪▪ Roofs and sails need to be carefully designed to prevent climbing. Utilise overhangs,
steep angles and eliminate foot and hand holds to minimise access to any roof.
▪▪ Position roofs so they do not block key sight lines, and place them where possible so that
they also shade adults seating areas.
▪▪ Roof drainage needs to be considered when the whole space is designed. If formal
gutters are not provided, avoid placing gravel or other erodible materials along the
drip line. Shade can be provided by the spaces underneath large decks, if these are
accessible.
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6.6DRINKING WATER
It is desirable to provide drinking water in parks and playgrounds. This is not always feasible from a
cost/budgetary perspective, especially in parks where there is no existing water meter.
Where a drink fountain is feasible, it should be:
▪▪ Located where is it accessible from a path system, in a reasonably prominent position
▪▪ Placed where runoff is considered from the outset, and does not cause a muddy
problem
▪▪ Designed to be accessed and operated by a person in wheelchair (especially in District
or Regional Playgrounds)
▪▪ Provided with a tap so that carers can fill a cup
▪▪ Provided with a dog drinking bowl if appropriate, if located away from the immediate
vicinity of a playground.
6.7FENCES AND PLAY AREAS
Why Fence a Play Area?
Fences around play space are often requested, especially where:
Parents have young children, or those with particular behavioural characteristics and intellectual
disabilities, including autism.
▪▪ A playground abuts a busy road or other hazard such as a water body.
▪▪ It is considered necessary to exclude dogs, or to separate dogs and children.
There are advantages and disadvantages to fencing play areas.
Fences should not be considered to be a universal solution to these problems.
Consider the following:
▪▪ Fences can instill a false sense of security in parents.
▪▪ They can be used to enclose children in-lieu of supervision.
▪▪ Gates remain a problem. It is difficult to design a gate that will keep a child in but that
can be still be opened by people in wheelchairs. Replacing magna latch type locks on
gates is also an ongoing expense.
▪▪ Sometimes a fence around a small play space can form an unpleasant cage.
▪▪ A fence delivers a message to children that they may not be welcome in other areas,
that the fence is intended to keep them inside, and that play is not possible elsewhere.
Fences can therefore reinforce the message of child unfriendly cities.
▪▪ Sometimes fences can be used to contain dogs within play areas, which is undesirable.
In some instances, an unobtrusive fence that provides a boundary around the play area will be highly
valued by some families.
Where to Fence
Not every playground needs to be fenced or should be fenced. For people who seek out a fenced
playground, however, it is recommended that a geographic spread of fenced playgrounds across
the City of Kingston should be available. These fenced sites should include a range of types of
playground.
Some sites are much easier and less expensive to fence, such as those that have narrow street
frontages, or parks where there is already some existing fencing.
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How to Fence
▪▪ Fences should be designed as an integral part of the landscape. They can be made
into a feature in some places, and in others hidden away in planting. They can offer
playful elements but if their primary purpose is to contain children, they should not have
footholds.
▪▪ The fence should be designed to include a generous space (preferably a large area of
park) and should avoid presenting an unattractive cage-like appearance.
▪▪ If gates are not provided, limit the number of openings in the fence and place a seat
strategically at openings so carers can supervise.
▪▪ A chicane type arrangement might also help to contain children or at least slow them
down before they abscond.
▪▪ Eliminate gaps under fences that allow balls to roll out onto a road.
Information on Council’s Website
Fenced playgrounds should be identified in information about playgrounds, such as on the Council
web site.
6.8TOILETS
A bench large enough to change an adult is important in accessible toilets. Expert advice should be sought
regarding the design.
Toilets are usually required in those parks and play areas that attract visitors for a longer duration.
Families with children with disabilities place a great deal of importance on the availability of fully
accessible toilets, especially those with large-sized change tables.
▪▪ Toilets should be wheelchair accessible and an adult-sized change bench should be
provided.
▪▪ Provide at least one unisex family cubicle with an adult-sized change bench. The design
should comply with current Australian Standards for Access and Mobility.
▪▪ A seamless path system to the toilets is required and this should be free of steps or other
barriers.
▪▪ Sites that already have toilets should be inspected with regard to accessibility, and be
prioritised for an upgrade, if required and if possible.
▪▪ In some older toilets, it may not be physically possible to adequately modify the existing
building or access routes to provide suitable access. These facilities should be scheduled
for replacement as soon as funds become available, and demolished and rebuilt to a
contemporary accessible standard.
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6.9DESIGNING FOR PLAY IN THE LANDSCAPE
As mentioned in Section 2, informal research with providers of many parks and playgrounds shows
consistently that a dramatic natural feature such as a massive clump of bamboo, a cluster of timber
mushrooms, or an enormous mound provide the most memorable of all play elements, to both children
and their families.
With small design interventions these can be made more accessible to children with disabilities as
well.
The task is therefore twofold. Firstly to provide these landscape elements for play, and secondly to
make them as accessible as possible to all children.
Play Value Offered by Nature and the Landscape
Parks and other urban spaces need a high degree of variation in the qualities of the landscape
to allow for the highly varying range in the play and recreation needs of children of all ages, and
their families. The landscape qualities of a play space make a major contribution to its play value
and aesthetics, especially for local residents and children who use the space regularly and become
familiar with these features.
Generally there is inadequate attention to landscape details as play opportunities in most
playgrounds.
Landscape elements that offer extremely high play value do not need to be expensive. The presence
and arrangement of quirky large landscape features can help to create a magical play space, having
a major impact upon the setting, and inviting children’s attention. This can be done at little additional
expense.
Consider some of the following:
▪▪ Shrubs planted densely but with runways through them for children to discover and
extend.
▪▪ Hedges double planted, wide enough for children to hide inside.
▪▪ The interesting trunks of long lived trees, planted in groups and circles, or in runways
between rows of tightly planted trunks.
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▪▪ The overhanging canopies of beautiful foliage to create secret spaces.
▪▪ These all invite play through their physical placement and through the spaces they
define. The terrain itself; hillsides, hollows and mounds, the spatial qualities of a place, degrees of enclosure
and views in and out can be utilised to enhance play. Arrangements or outcrops of rocks and boulders,
and small interesting spaces defined by changes of level or walls and edges.
Details such as paving, surfacing, sand and water; loose materials such as pebbles, leaves, twigs,
bark and mulch create the currency for play – that is, the loose materials to play with, once children
have discovered these special places to play in.
Sensory qualities such as sounds, colours, textures, and smells are all of great importance, especially
to children, who are highly perceptive of detail in their surroundings.
Landscape elements not only offer play opportunities in their own right; they can enhance and extend
the play on adjacent play equipment if located and designed carefully.
Part of the intrinsic value of the landscape elements discussed above is that they are open ended –
that is, they do not have a specific play purpose assigned to them by a manufacturer. Children are
able to use their own imagination and appropriate them for their own play, which can change at any
time.
Landscape elements offer seasonal change, loose materials, opportunities to engage with and
experience nature, and opportunities for self directed play. These have become increasingly important
experiences for inner urban children who live increasingly indoor and sedentary lives.
It is possible to make many natural areas more accessible to children with a disability, using trails to
provide a route between trees and into natural zones. Even if the whole area is difficult terrain, it is
often possible to provide access into at least part of an area of natural interest. Accessible lookouts
and other ways of experiencing places even if you cannot physically reach them, are also valuable.
Even a single irregular track into vegetated areas makes it possible for children to experience nature.
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6.10SPATIAL DEFINITION AND LANDFORM IN PLAY SPACES
Many play spaces have been described as dull because they are flat and open, with no variation
in the terrain and no landscape detail, and an over reliance on the play equipment to provide for
children’s play.
As mentioned previously, an interesting landscape in a park takes the emphasis off the equipment
and encourages children and adults to explore the possibilities within the landscape for play.
Spaces that are intended for one purpose (such as small group play) but which have an unsuitable
scale (such as a vast open area without visual boundaries) can be uncomfortable and uninviting
without users understanding why.
The openness of this space creates an uncomfortable scale and removes the sense of intimacy which is so
important for many types of play
Like rooms in a house, the size of outdoor spaces needs to be appropriate for the size of the group and
for the type of activity. Intimate spaces with a sense of containment are needed for small children’s
play areas, and places for small groups to sit and talk comfortably, while larger, open spaces are
required for ball play areas and public gathering spaces.
Children value elevation in play spaces, using mounds, walls and undulations to:
▪▪ view out, and over their surroundings
▪▪ run up and down landforms, and ride bikes over bumps, and to
▪▪ hide and play.
This kind of spatial variety is also important in children’s development of a sense of their body in
space, and of concepts such as up/down, inside/outside, and over/under.
Spaces can be defined in many ways. Parks with a variety of different spaces will provide more
interest than those that are simple, open and flat.
Earth forming, as well as planting and structures, can be used to define spaces and add qualities that
are more appealing for both play and aesthetics.
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These images demonstrate the use of planting and site levels to provide more interesting spaces.
▪▪ Low walls and screens contain a space visually while allowing views over the top or
through holes. Walls may also provide for seating and balancing
Even very gentle mounds enclose the space and provide good supervision points for adults.
▪▪ High mounds can be exciting for children. Mounds with very steep sides are difficult to
maintain and look unnatural (“elephant graves”). The compacted soil inside mounds is
not ideal for trees
▪▪ Gentle mounding can define a series of spaces, and provide seating. Similarly, opentrunked trees and pleached (raised) hedges provide overhead shade/spatial containment,
while allowing views through the space at ground level. Hedges, boulders, low shrubs,
and many other elements can be used to divide spaces.
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6.11PLANTING FOR PLAY SPACES
Vegetation has many beneficial impacts on the aesthetics and amenity of parks and playgrounds. As mentioned in the previous Section, trees and other planting can be used to define play zones,
to provide intimate cubby spaces, to provide play materials, for valuable sensory qualities, to attract
birds and wildlife, for climbing, and to add a layer of visual complexity as well as to provide shade
and cooling.
Playgrounds are tough environments for plants. Species need to be chosen with care and placed
sensibly to minimise the risk of them being destroyed by foot traffic, over-zealous play, vandalism or
neglect.
All of these need to be thought through carefully on a site-by-site
basis.
▪▪ Check with Council maintenance staff or contractors, to ensure that the planting and
landscape designs are compatible with feasible management routines. Check whether
shrub plantings, for example, can be looked after adequately.
▪▪ Species selection needs to take into account any special requirements such as the need
for:
––­ indigenous planting in many settings especially those on creeks and rivers
––­ exotic planting in some heritage zones
––­ the need to avoid use of environmental weeds, especially near waterways, and
––­ other conditions specific to individual sites.
▪▪ The design should utilize tough species especially in ‘front-line’ areas, immediately
adjacent to high-impact zones, such as ball play areas and play equipment areas.
Choose species that can withstand at least some plucking and picking of leaves, bark,
fruit or flowers, by children for their play.
▪▪ Deliberately choose species for their play value, especially in areas where play spaces
will be fairly standard and with no movable elements.
▪▪ Avoid planting in areas where it is clear from the outset that planting will not survivesuch as in the path of a clearly defined foot traffic route. Sometimes at path corners, for
example, tough measures (for example a carefully placed boulder protecting a stand of
a tough strap-leafed species) may be required to get any vegetation to survive. In other
situations, where planting is intended to direct foot traffic and act as a barrier, it may
need a fairly substantial fence to prevent pedestrians cutting through along the most
convenient route.
▪▪ Avoid blocking views into a playground by over-planting street frontages.
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6.12PLAY AND DISABILITY - IMPLICATIONS FOR PLAYGROUND DESIGN
Section 2 introduced the issue of access for children with a disability. Although all disabilities have
different implication for play space design, the points below focus on physical disability, as these pose
some major design issues in play spaces.
Enabling Children With a Range of Physical Abilities to Participate in Play
The range in children’s ability to move freely typically
affects independence, access and participation in play.
It affects the parts of a play space that a child can use,
and the speed at which they can move around and play
with a group. For children who use mobility aids such as
sticks, wheelchairs or walking frames, there are minimum
space requirements for them to be able to physically fit
into spaces. Designs might also need to accommodate
someone to help the child. Sometimes children want to
sit or lie somewhere without their wheelchair, and they
might need someone to help them transfer.
It is generally preferable to provide integrated, accessible
and inclusive play areas where able and less able children
can play together, rather than providing segregated areas.
Providing Wheelchair Accessible Play Activities
Some simple additions that would make many spaces more accessible and more interesting to many
children and adults who use wheelchairs include the following:
▪▪ provide seamless path access into the park
▪▪ eliminate stepped level changes and raised borders wherever possible and provide a
path system with barrier-free surfaces.
▪▪ provide turning spaces large enough for wheelchair use (especially relevant within
cubbies or on decks).
▪▪ incorporate surfaces that make wheeled-play interesting and fun
▪▪ provide synthetic impact absorbing surfaces in key areas allowing access across mulch
to play structures.
The whole space does not need to be synthetic. It is important
to provide a range of materials for play, safety and access.
▪▪ provide wheelchair access to at least some play
settings and in particular to the social or focal points
of the playground where every child would want to
play. Include cubbies, and imaginative/role play areas
such as vehicle play.
▪▪ design activities and surfaces in such a way that it is
possible to allow a person in a wheelchair to face the
activity front-on, and to get their knees under ( a shelf,
shop counter, activity panel or similar).
▪▪ incorporate seats or perches immediately adjacent, for carers to assist in the play.
▪▪ some items such as ground level mazes, cubbies and imaginative play settings, boats
and trains, and activity panels are the easiest to make accessible and these have the
best potential for social inclusion. Whenever these are planned into a space, they should,
as a matter of course, be designed to be accessible.
▪▪ if it is possible to include a large item that provides movement, such as a birds-nest
swing , or a double rocker with back support, that many people with a disability can use
(if they can be transferred) make sure this is on an accessible surface.
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▪▪ Provide access to creative elements such as music and sand or interesting natural
spaces.
▪▪ Eliminate barriers such as log borders, steps or stairs to any of these sections
▪▪ Include ramps allowing wheelchair access to elevated areas where this is feasible, and
ensure that there is some accessible play value once the user reaches the top
▪▪ Provide opportunities to experience texture, sound, smell and other sensory delights
▪▪ Provide opportunities to leave the wheelchair, and to lie or sit in an alternative supportive
position
▪▪ Courts, paths and hard surfaces such as skate parks can be used for play by children in
chairs as long as there is seamless access to them.
Other Accessible Design Features
The above discussion has focused largely on wheelchair access, as this is the most challenging
for designers. Other features which would also assist many users of play spaces (including adults)
include the following:
▪▪ Incorporate flat treads and stairs, as well as rung ladders or more challenging features,
into climbing structures.
▪▪ Provide colour - contrast hand grips at changes of level within play structures.
▪▪ Delineate edges and level changes.
▪▪ Remove trip hazards.
▪▪ Ensure that particular care is taken with design for safety, so that children with balance
problems and vision impairments do not inadvertently fall through openings in guard rails
or cross the paths of swings.
▪▪ Provide simple back support structures on seats, swings, see-saws and in sand pit
areas. This is also important for carers.
6.13GETTING THE BEST PLAY VALUE OUT OF PLAY SPACE DESIGN
Locating Play Elements Within a Park
▪▪ Locate play equipment where it also allows useful space for other activities in the park,
such as ball games, seating areas, picnicking etc. Avoid dominating the whole space
with one group of equipment right in the centre.
▪▪ Avoid locating elevated play equipment too close to houses, where it allows overlooking
of private yards and where noise may affect residents.
▪▪ In small parks, avoid noisy forms of equipment.
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Connections
To obtain the best value from every aspect of the design, think about the ‘play relationships’ or
synergy between the physical elements in the space, and avoid dotting individual items randomly
round the site. This makes supervision very difficult for parents and increases the expense of softfall
and edging, mowing and maintenance.
The connections between elements within a park or play space may be as important as the play
equipment itself. Where elements are located and how they relate to one another will have a major
bearing on how well they will be used for play.
▪▪ Group ‘like’ activities for particular age groups together.
▪▪ Certain types of play elements (cubbies, sand and vegetation) relate well to one
another.
▪▪ The play on some equipment can be extended by locating it close to simple objects
which children incorporate into their games. Items such an interesting tree, a large
boulder, a tree stump, or some stepping stones will need to be outside fall zones but will
often extend the play value. Openings like cubby doorways, shop ‘counters’ or tunnel
opening need to face these objects directly.
▪▪ Some items are meaningless unless connected into the space. For example, where
there is a bridge this should link into the design rather than being located on its own.
Surfaces
The impact absorbing surface (‘softfall’) under play equipment accounts for a considerable amount of
the cost of a playground. As each elevated item is required to have softfall underneath, better value is
obtained by grouping equipment, to lessen the area and expense of soft fall, and maximise access.
Multipurpose, Good Value
Some projects have extremely tight budgets and very small spaces.
In these cases very careful design is required, to achieve a multipurpose space which can be used
by everyone.
A physical element which can be used by any aged child, and by both individuals and groups, can
provide good play value. Different ages might use it in different ways. For example a hammock or a
‘birds nest’ swing may be used for gently rocking a young child, while a group of older children might
swing it wildly to see who falls off, and teenagers might lie together and talk.
The higher the likelihood that a play element will invite a combination of physical play, social interaction
and imaginative/or creative play, the more multipurpose and the better value it is likely to be.
Keep in mind there is a fine line between being multipurpose, and jamming too many activities into a
small space.
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Items which are designed for one specific purpose or age group can still be highly valued, but may
be a luxury which cannot be provided in very small spaces. Individual spring toys may fit into this
category, whereas a double spring see saw can be used by many age groups.
Some examples of items which are reasonably multi-purpose are listed below.
▪▪ A sand and water play area, especially if coupled with a play deck, open cubby and
vegetation.
▪▪ A multi level structure which includes an appealing and accessible cubby underneath,
combined with climbing up (and also around), with options for sliding down, perching, or
a lookout on top. If the cubby section is located close to either a sand pit, or vegetation
with an item such as a large tree stump, a log, or a large boulder, this will add additional
complexity to the play,. Such an item might be used by small children, primary ages and
teenagers at different times of the day for different purposes.
▪▪ A good, well-tuned musical item which is accessible front-on for all ages and abilities.
▪▪ Balancing items /bridges/low walls items offering journeys through a space, especially if
children with a disability can use these too
▪▪ Double swings (with a senior seat and a junior seat.)
▪▪ Some turnover bars next to chin up bars, on a softfall surface.
▪▪ A two or four seater spring see saw including one with back support – can be used by all
ages, or by one person, or by a group.
▪▪ A flexible net structure if this also has some social aspects i.e. some pods or hammocks
for group activities, for resting and lying.
▪▪ A carousel that can be used seated, lying down or standing up, either individually or by
more than one person at a time; and by adults holding a child, and preferably with some
back support and hand grips.
▪▪ A large mound with a lookout on the top.
▪▪ A basket ball court or half court with an arrangement of mounding or seating on at least
two sides allowing for watching, seating and ‘hanging out’.
Plan for Future Development
Plan for future change and expansion. Children grow up; demographics vary; safety standards
and community expectations change. Avoid designs that will be expensive to modify if even small
adjustments are required to the space. For example, by fully encircling a new small play space with a
substantial low wall of concrete, expansion is impossible without breaking into the concrete edge.
6.14CORE PLAY ACTIVITIES FOR LOCAL / NEIGHBOURHOOD PARKS
The following list proposes a set of activities which caters well for a range of age groups at the local
level. This list can, and indeed should, be interpreted in a wide variety of ways and allows a range
of settings and character to be maintained in parks. Note that although it has been included here, it
is not always compulsory to include standard play equipment in a park. Designers need to use their
judgment and understanding of the community’s needs, and to seek advice depending upon the
context and the needs of each community. Include a selection from the following:
Imaginative / Creative / Natural Play Elements
▪▪ Include some form of imaginative play setting. This should be made wheelchair
accessible wherever possible. It could be very purpose built, such as a cubby located
under an elevated deck, a train, or a boat containing a steering wheel; or it might be a
small copse of trees, a group of interesting boulders, or a sculpture. It could benefit from
location close to sand and/or vegetation.
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Activities Providing Physical / Agility / Movement
▪▪ Low-key agility items such as a horizontal ladder, turnover bar, parallel bars or similar. If
there is only one horizontal ladder or similar upper body activity, this must not be higher
than l900mm. Only if there are two such ladders, should one be higher, up to the allowed
2200mm. Turnover bars must offer a choice of heights and preferably be freestanding.
▪▪ At least one double swing frame fitted with one toddler seat or tyre basket, and one strap
seat or safety seat. Preferably include more than one swing frame, dedicated to junior
children and older children respectively.
▪▪ One item, in addition to the swing, that offers an alternative kind of movement such as
rocking or rotating that can be used by a range of ages /abilities.
▪▪ An elevated structure (if this is appropriate) for climbing, sliding etc. Provide at least
one easy access, such as a stair, for young children to access the slide, in addition to
alternative, more challenging options.
▪▪ Once an elevated structure is provided, make the most of the opportunity to design in
some complexity, an accessible cubby underneath, and a few imaginative details.
Social / Amenity
▪▪ A choice of activities for both individuals and groups, regardless of age or ability.
▪▪ Shade from trees, as a minimum.
▪▪ An open grassed space suitable for ball games, if this is feasible.
▪▪ An accessible social space. As a minimum, at least one seat facing the play space, from
which an adult can be close enough to see children, talk to them while playing, and reach
them quickly if required.
▪▪ A different theme, character and style from all nearby playgrounds.
▪▪ Attention to landscape detail: vegetation, change of level, spatial and sensory qualities.
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6.15DESIGNING PLAY SPACES FOR DIFFERENT AGE GROUPS
Zoning for Age Groups
If play areas are zoned to provide for a specific age group, these need to be located in such a way that
it is possible for carers to supervise children of more than one age group at any one time. At all times,
consciously maximise opportunities for access and inclusion by children with a disability.
While it is not necessary to provide completely separate zones for specific age groups in small play
spaces, it is important to ensure that a child of any age group or ability is likely to find something which
interests them and which they can master.
Keeping in mind that everyone is different, suitability for different age groups is generally
determined by:
▪▪ the type of play which is offered by the item
▪▪ whether the size of the space or the item is large enough for the social group and
for the body sizes of users- such as swing seats large enough to hold an older child or
adult, or tiny cubbies suitable for under threes
▪▪ the overall height and scale of climbing or sliding equipment
▪▪ the degree of challenge offered by different activities and types of movement -for
example the speed of spinning items; a fast flying fox; a very high climb
▪▪ the amount of protection available while climbing, such as hand supports, foot supports,
angle of incline and degree of enclosure
▪▪ the amount of strength required to hang on (for example while suspended by the
arms; from a spinning item, while climbing; or when other children are shaking an item)
▪▪ the degree of co-ordination required to use a particular item – for example a slide
pole actually requires co-ordination and arm strength; swinging independently requires
coordination
▪▪ the degree of social co-operation required to operate something - ie. running and spinning
a carousel
▪▪ the scale of the space and suitability for the activity-such as a cubby for very small
children who like small-scaled, intimate spaces.
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Safety and Challenge
The issue of risky play has also been discussed in Section 2. It is usually good to provide some
physical challenge for children but this always needs to be done in context. When there is a limited
choice of playground equipment in a park, it should not be excessively challenging because a range
of age groups must be able to use it.
In a location that offers a good choice of equipment, however, some items should be designed to
be quite challenging. The same item that is inappropriate at one site could be quite acceptable
elsewhere.
Safety is always an issue that must be considered in context.
This section provides a very brief guide for designers, indicating the general types of activities which
tend to interest three selected age groups.
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Designing for the Under Threes
From birth to 3 years, children undergo massive physical and cognitive change and development.
There is a very wide range of developmental skills within this age range. Many three year olds are
very confident and agile, whereas an under 18 month old may be very shaky on their feet. The kinds of spaces and activities which interest this age group include:
▪▪ very small scale spaces close to adults, for intensive hands-on adult access and
involvement
▪▪ interesting places, surfaces, and objects to explore and manipulate
▪▪ small ups and downs of various levels of difficulty, for practicing stepping, standing and
climbing
▪▪ paths for wheeled toys, small barrows and toddler bikes
▪▪ sand, water and sand play equipment-scoops, pouring, holes in a wall for ‘posting’ small
objects
▪▪ small areas of quality grass, which are good for learning to walk and run, follow a ball,
or sit on a picnic blanket
▪▪ small scale, imaginative/dramatic play situations including items such as cubbies, shop
fronts, trains and steering wheels, and small sculptures intended for safe play
▪▪ loose materials such as sand, mulch and leaves, especially when located close to
cubbies and other settings where these materials can enhance the play
▪▪ vegetation with interesting (non toxic) materials for collecting and sorting
▪▪ basic climbing, sliding, swinging, balancing, rocking and rotating elements. Back supports
on seats are important to provide support for the very young or less able
▪▪ carefully designed means of access with at least one set of stairs
▪▪ options for up and down, over and under, inside and outside, small and large spaces.
Short tunnels, hidey holes and cubbies.
Safety is an important consideration for very young children.
▪▪ Minimise physical risks while allowing scope for development of skills and confidence. Children do not learn from being over protected. Challenges must be available for the
child to manage when they are ready, and must not be forced upon the child. Dangers
which this age group are unable to perceive or foresee must be avoided.
▪▪ Take particular care not to introduce inadvertent hazards caused by swings in locations
that cross children‘s paths.
▪▪ Protect children from falls from decks, through openings, under guardrails and between
decks.
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Play for Children Aged Between 4 and 7 Years (‘Junior’)
Note that there is a very wide range of skills and competence within this age grouping. These children
enjoy:
▪▪ a range of physical challenges such as climbing, swinging, hanging, balancing, agility
and rotating. There should be opportunities for children to choose the degree of
challenge, such as the height of climbing, the height and length of overhead bars and
agility equipment, and to develop their skills. This may mean designing more than one of
the same activity, at different heights
▪▪ circuits, balancing on edges, movement around a space according to their own games
▪▪ imaginative and dramatic play with items such as cubbies, trains and boats designed for
group play and for social interaction
▪▪ manipulative elements such as sand play and construction activities
▪▪ complex arrangements of play structures and other elements, to allow chasing and
hiding games
▪▪ natural elements such as trees, planting, dirt, sand, water and flowers
▪▪ open areas of grass for ball play, running, chasing ,skipping
▪▪ hard surfaces for skipping, ball games, bikes and other activities.
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Designing for 8 years to Teenagers (‘Senior’)
This group is likely to enjoy:
▪▪ places to meet socially, sit with a friend or a group. These can be small scale such as
rocking with a friend on a double swing, or large scale gathering/’hanging out’ areas.
▪▪ a range of more physically challenging structures and play events, such as high climbing
nets, climbing walls, and complex structures of any kind which provide for high, long and/
or challenging climbing
▪▪ equipment which provides exciting forms of movement, and combinations of movement
such as:
––­ long mound slides, high slides, slide poles, and high slides in a spiral or wave pattern
––­ flying foxes and long track rides
––­ rockers
––­ equipment which tests strength and endurance
––­ swings which rotate, or spin around, spring or rock while swinging
––­ equipment which has components which rock or twist and make access challenging, tricky
or unpredictable
▪▪ any of the above which have a social element, such as large rockers, 2 or 4 seater ‘skale’
swings, carousels, hammocks or similar equipment which can accommodate a group, or
a number of single items that individuals can use adjacent to one another at the same
time
▪▪ a good choice of agility equipment, such as horizontal ladders, overhead ring challenges,
turnover or chin up bars, challenging balance items or bridges
▪▪ complex arrangements of play structures and other elements, to allow chasing and
hiding games
▪▪ open areas of grass
▪▪ hard surfaces for skating
▪▪ elevated areas for ‘hanging around‘/observation
▪▪ small-scale spaces for social interaction and group activities
▪▪ natural elements - trees, planting, dirt, sand, water and flowers
▪▪ ball game areas such as open grass, hard courts surrounded by areas to sit and watch
▪▪ skate facilities including low key and street style facilities and homemade adaptations,
in a location far enough away from houses to minimise noise interference, but where
informal surveillance is possible.
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6.16PLAYGROUND SAFETY STANDARDS
Benchmarks for Safety in Playgrounds
The following Australian Safety Standards provide the basic rules for playground safety compliance
in Australia:
AS 4685 2004 Parts 1 to 6Playgrounds and Playground Equipment
ASNZS 4486 1997 Playgrounds and Playground Equipment Part 1 Development, Installation,
Inspection, Maintenance & Operation
AS/NZS 4422 1996Playground Surfacing Specification, Requirements & Test Methods.
All playgrounds must comply with Australian Standards for functional design, layout and construction.
All playgrounds should be inspected on a regular basis to ensure that these remain in good condition.
The frequency of such inspections needs to be established for each site, depending upon the nature
of the site and its usage patterns. Some sites will require more intensive management as they are
more intensively used, especially over summer and holiday periods.
There must also be an effective system for reporting damage including equipment and material
failures and an effective and fast response and repair system. Good records need to be kept of site
inspections and actions taken to rectify problems.
Note that these documents are not completely ‘black and white’ there remain ’grey’ areas within
these Standards, and areas where local decision making will still be required on the subject of what
is an acceptable risk under local circumstances.
Good Design is an Important Strategy To Reduce Playground Injuries.
▪▪ Make sure that the design includes a range of choices so that children can select a
degree of challenge, heights and activities which suits their level of skill.
▪▪ Avoid uninteresting playgrounds that lead to boredom.
▪▪ Make it difficult for children and teenagers to reach and climb onto roofs and shade
sails.
▪▪ Locate playgrounds where informal surveillance is easy, in order to reduce vandalism,
broken glass and anti-social behaviour.
▪▪ Encourage good supervision by making playgrounds welcoming and comfortable for
adults as well as children.
▪▪ Consider the benefits of risky play and do not remove items which have caused injury
without a thoughtful process. Careful consideration and judgement will be required,
and officers need to be supported in their decision making which requires technical
assessment and understanding of play and the play policy statement recommended in
Section 2 of this report.
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6.17Recommendations for Audits and Safety Inspections in Playgrounds
Design Phase
Prior to installation, assess and sign-off on the design, using:
▪▪ play value
▪▪ access, and
▪▪ safety standards compliance
as the criteria for assessment.
Installation Phase
Carry out a site inspection following installation, and attend to any design non-compliances.
Inspections and Auditing
▪▪ Manufacturers need to provide advice on the maintenance requirements of their
equipment.
▪▪ Establish the frequency of inspections required for each site, depending upon the risk
assessment, the nature of the playground, patterns of use and seasonal requirements:
▪▪ A routine (visual) inspection will be required weekly or even daily on some sites in busy
periods, and monthly on sites where usage, vandalism and environmental hazards are
low.
▪▪ An operational inspection should be carried out on all sites as a minimum every 3 to 4
months. Refer to Table 2 for specific maintenance levels. The operation of moving parts,
any wear on components, and the stability of structures should be checked and recorded
systematically.
▪▪ A schedule for repairs on a priority basis should be developed and actioned.
▪▪ A thorough inspection should be carried out annually to check long-term levels of
safety.
▪▪ Repairs should be carried out promptly and recorded.
Recommendations for Maintenance and Repairs
▪▪ It is not logistically possible for Council to be aware, between regular inspections, of
damage that is the result of wear and tear or vandalism. The community should therefore
be encouraged to report any defects and graffiti immediately.
▪▪ Consider providing a sign on each site should inform users of a telephone number to
contact to report damage or vandalism.
▪▪ The Council website should also list a number to report problems.
▪▪ By prompt action, residents will be encouraged that such calls are worthwhile.
▪▪ Graffiti should be removed as soon as possible.
▪▪ A system of fast response, with some components available in-store including temporary
fencing materials - in case repairs cannot be undertaken immediately - is very important
and effective in managing risk.
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Recommendations for Managing Reports of Injury
If an injury should be reported:
▪▪ Council should take every step to find out exactly what happened, what the cause of the
injury was, and the behaviour that led up to it .
▪▪ It is important to note that the manner in which an injury report is dealt with has a major
bearing on whether the case results in litigation. Co-operation and sympathy with the
injured party, without admitting any liability, is therefore very important .
▪▪ Accurate records should be kept of any injury report, and
▪▪ Site details should be photographed and recorded immediately before any removals or
remedial work is undertaken and all records pertaining to the site should be checked.
▪▪ Work with Council’s insurer regarding what to do.
Replacement and Upgrading Playgrounds
▪▪ When a site is identified for repairs or major upgrading works, it is important to get best
value out of the opportunity to change the playground.
▪▪ Take the opportunity to check three aspects of the existing design simultaneously:
▪▪ ­Play value
▪▪ ­Access to users with disabilities and their carers, and safety.
▪▪ Upgrade all of these where appropriate and possible.
▪▪ When assessing a playground for possible replacement, the following issues need to be
taken into consideration:
––­ the relative age and play value of the equipment
––­ compliance with current safety standards
––­ a new master plan for the whole park, that may propose a new playground
––­ the cost of continual repairs, and
––­ excessive vandalism that may have caused structural damage.
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Mary Jeavons Landscape Architects
Kingston City Council Playground Strategy
Volume 1 - Principles, Planning and Design of Play Spaces in the City of Kingston
APPENDICES
A.1List of Playgrounds by RH Reference Number
A.2List of Playgrounds in Alphabetical Order
A.3List of Playgrounds by Suburb
A.4List of Playgrounds by Planning Zone and Precinct
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APPENDIx A.1List of Playgrounds by RH reference Number
RH No.
PARK NAME
STREET NAME
SUBURB
1
Luain Avenue Reserve
Luain Avenue
Oakleigh South
2
Dales Park
Washington Drive
Oakleigh South
3
Sherbrooke Avenue Reserve
Sherbrooke Avenue
Oakleigh South
4
Henry Street Reserve
Henry Street
Heatherton
5
The Heath Estate Common
Sunningdale Way
Heatherton
6
St Georges Crescent Reserve
St Georges Crescent
Heatherton
7
Mavis Hutter Reserve
Carroll Road
Oakleigh South
8
Dowling Road Reserve
Dowling Road
Oakleigh South
9
Dalbeattie Drive Reserve
Dalbeattie Street
Clarinda
10
Hendon Court Reserve
Hendon Court
Clarinda
10a
Jacobs / Sundowner
Sundowner Avenue
Clayton South
11
Leonard Close Reserve
Leonard Close
Clarinda
12
Bald Hill Park
Inverness Street
Clarinda
13
Namatjira Park
Springs Road
Clayton South
14
Bemboka Avenue Reserve
Bemboka Avenue
Clayton South
15
Warraweena Road Reserve
Warraweena Road
Clayton South
16
Drushi Court Reserve
Drushi Court
Clarinda
17
Meppel Drive Reserve
Meppel Drive
Clayton South
18
Keeley Park
Main Road
Clayton South
19
First Street Reserve
First Street
Clayton South
20
Sheldon Place Reserve
Sheldon Place
Clayton South
21
The Grange Reserve
Osbourne Avenue
Clayton South
22
Scott Avenue Reserve
Scott Avenue
Clayton South
23
Larado Place Reserve
Larado Place
Clayton South
24
Heatherton Park (Ireland Road)
Ireland Road
Clayton South
24a
Heatherton Park (Monster Park)
Heatherton Road
Clayton South
25
Gartside Reserve
Wyndarra Cresent
Dingley Village
26
Greenwoods Close Reserve
Greenswood Close
Dingley Village
27
Coughlan Reserve
Seaton Drive
Dingley Village
28
Dingley Reserve
Marcus Road
Dingley Village
29
Rowan Road Reserve
Rowan Road
Dingley Village
30
Golf Links Crescent Reserve
Golf Links Crescent
Dingley Village
31
Golfwood Close Reserve
Golfwood Close
Dingley Village
32
Laurie Barnett Reserve
Jacks Avenue
Dingley Village
33
Holland Avenue Reserve
Holland Avenue
Dingley Village
34
Williams Close Reserve
Williams Close
Dingley Village
35
Ashbourne Place Reserve
Ashbourne Place
Dingley Village
36
Cassava Court Reserve
Cassava Court
Dingley Village
37
Balcombe Place Reserve
Balcombe Place
Dingley Village
38
Chadwick Reserve
Howard Road
Dingley Village
39
Gumley Court Reserve
Gumley Court
Dingley Village
40
William Bardoel Reserve
Kingston Drive
Dingley Village
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RH No.
PARK NAME
STREET NAME
41
Winners Circle Playground
Winners Circle
Aspendale Gardens
42
Amott Court Reserve
Amott Court
Aspendale Gardens
43
Palm Grove Reserve
Palm Grove Boulevard
Aspendale Gardens
44
Royal Palms Playground
Royal Palms
Aspendale Gardens
45
Kearney Drive Reserve
Kearney Drive
Aspendale Gardens
46
L.L. Stevenson Reserve
Joelle Court & Hickman Ave
Aspendale Gardens
47
Branagon Drive Reserve
Branagon Drive
Aspendale Gardens
48
Amaroo Drive Reserve
Amaroo Drive
Chelsea Heights
49
Third Avenue Reserve
Third Avenue
Chelsea Heights
50
Heights Park
Thames Promenade
Chelsea Heights
51
Talab Reserve
Talab Court
Chelsea Heights
52
The Parkway Reserve
The Parkway
Patterson Lakes
53
Legana Court Reserve
Legana Court
Patterson Lakes
54
Arrunga Court Reserve
Arrunga Court
Patterson Lakes
55
Adelong Court Reserve
Adelong Court
Patterson Lakes
56
Gladesville Boulevard Reserve
Gladesville Boulevard
Patterson Lakes
57
Carrum Roy Dore Reserve
Graham Road
Carrum
58
Mernda Avenue Reserve
Mernda Avenue
Bonbeach
59
Bonbeach Reserve
Cannes Avenue
Bonbeach
60
Scotch Parade Reserve
Scotch Parade
Bonbeach
61
Bicentennial Park
Scotch Parade
Chelsea
62
Victory Park
The Strand
Chelsea
63
Edithvale Reserve
Fraser Avenue
Edithvale
64
Lochiel Avenue Reserve
Lochiel Avenue
Edithvale
65
Regents Park
Sixth Avenue
Aspendale
66
Albany Crescent Reserve
Albany Crescent
Aspendale
67
Iluka Reserve
Iluka Avenue
Aspendale
68
Carinya Avenue Reserve
Carinya Avenue
Aspendale
69
George Woods Reserve
Governor Road
Mordialloc
70
Peter Scullin Reserve
Beach Road
Mordialloc
71
McDonald Healy Playground
Birdwood Street
Parkdale
72
Keith Styles Reserve
Mentone Parade
Mentone
73
Mentone Life Saving Club
Beach Road
Mentone
74
Balcombe Road Park
Balcombe Road
Mentone
75
Bourke & Patty Street Reserve
Cnr Bourke & Patty Streets
Mentone
76
Sir William Fry Reserve
Nepean Highway
Highett
77
Jean Street Reserve
Jean Street
Cheltenham
78
Page Street Reserve
Page Street
Cheltenham
79
Booker Street Reserve
Booker Street
Cheltenham
80
Phillip Street Reserve
Phillip Street
Mentone
81
Dolomore Reserve
Queen Street
Parkdale
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RH No.
PARK NAME
STREET NAME
SUBURB
82
Herbert Street Reserve
Herbert Street
Parkdale
83
Ben Kavanagh Reserve
Cnr Chute & McDonald Streets
Mordialloc
84
Doug Denyer Reserve
McDonald Street
Mordialloc
85
White Street Reserve
Cnr White & Barkly Streets
Mordialloc
86
Brownfield Street Reserve
Brownfield Street
Mordialloc
87
Walter Galt Reserve
Warren Road
Parkdale
88
Gerry Green Reserve
Keith Street
Parkdale
89
Marriott Street Reserve
Marriott Street
Parkdale
90
Duggan Street Reserve
Duggan Street
Mordialloc
91
Grey Street Reserve
Grey Street
Parkdale
92
Ivy Marriott Reserve
Robert Street
Parkdale
93
Meribah Court Reserve
Meribah Court
Parkdale
94
Southern Road Reserve
Acacia Avenue
Mentone
95
Mentone Racecourse Reserve
Glenelg Drive
Mentone
96
Judd Parade Reserve
Judd Parade
Cheltenham
97
Reg Marlow Reserve
Oak Avenue
Mentone
98
Elliott Street Reserve
Elliott Street
Cheltenham
99
Follett Road Reserve
Follett Road
Cheltenham
100
Kingston Heath Reserve
Centre Dandenong Road
Cheltenham
101
Blackburn Drive Reserve
Blackburn Drive
Cheltenham
102
Lincoln Drive Reserve
Lincoln Drive
Cheltenham
103
Silver Street Reserve
Silver Street
Cheltenham
104
Lorna Street Reserve
Lorna Street
Cheltenham
105
LePage Park
Argus Street
Cheltenham
106
Friendship Square Reserve
Cavanagh Street
Cheltenham
107
Glyn Court Reserve
Glyn Court
Cheltenham
108
Highett Reserve
Peace Street
Highett
109
G.R. Bricker Reserve West
Rowan Road
Moorabbin
110
Perry Street Reserve
Perry Street
Moorabbin
POTENTIAL FUTURE PROJECTS
PFP
G.R. Bricker Reserve East
Rowan Road
Moorabbin
PFP
Moorabbin Reserve (Football Oval)
Linton Street
Moorabbin
PFP
Stanley Avenue Reserve
Cheltenham Library
Cheltenham
PFP
Glenola Road Reserve
Glenola Road
Chelsea
PFP
Tennyson Street Reserve
Tennyson Street
Carrum
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APPENDIx A.2List of Playgrounds in alphabetical order
No.
PARK NAME
STREET NAME
SUBURB
1
Adelong Court Reserve
Adelong Court
Patterson Lakes
2
Albany Crescent Reserve
Albany Crescent
Aspendale
3
Amaroo Drive Reserve
Amaroo Drive
Chelsea Heights
4
Amott Court Reserve
Amott Court
Aspendale Gardens
5
Arrunga Court Reserve
Arrunga Court
Patterson Lakes
6
Ashbourne Place Reserve
Ashbourne Place
Dingley Village
7
Balcombe Place Reserve
Balcombe Place
Dingley Village
8
Balcombe Road Park
Balcombe Road
Mentone
9
Bald Hill Park
Inverness Street
Clarinda
10
Bemboka Avenue Reserve
Bemboka Avenue
Clayton South
11
Ben Kavanagh Reserve
Cnr Chute & McDonald Streets
Mordialloc
12
Bicentennial Park
Scotch Parade
Chelsea
13
Blackburn Drive Reserve
Blackburn Drive
Cheltenham
14
Bonbeach Reserve
Cannes Avenue
Bonbeach
15
Booker Street Reserve
Booker Street
Cheltenham
16
Bourke & Patty Street Reserve
Cnr Bourke & Patty Streets
Mentone
17
Branagon Drive Reserve
Branagon Drive
Aspendale Gardens
18
Brownfield Street Reserve
Brownfield Street
Mordialloc
19
Carinya Avenue Reserve
Carinya Avenue
Aspendale
20
Carrum Roy Dore Reserve
Graham Road
Carrum
21
Cassava Court Reserve
Cassava Court
Dingley Village
22
Chadwick Reserve
Howard Road
Dingley Village
23
Coughlan Reserve
Seaton Drive
Dingley Village
24
Dalbeattie Drive Reserve
Dalbeattie Street
Clarinda
25
Dales Park
Washington Drive
Oakleigh South
26
Dingley Reserve
Marcus Road
Dingley Village
27
Dolomore Reserve
Queen Street
Parkdale
28
Doug Denyer Reserve
McDonald Street
Mordialloc
29
Dowling Road Reserve
Dowling Road
Oakleigh South
30
Drushi Court Reserve
Drushi Court
Clarinda
31
Duggan Street Reserve
Duggan Street
Mordialloc
32
Edithvale Reserve
Fraser Avenue
Edithvale
33
Elliott Street Reserve
Elliott Street
Cheltenham
34
First Street Reserve
First Street
Clayton South
35
Follett Road Reserve
Follett Road
Cheltenham
36
Friendship Square Reserve
Cavanagh Street
Cheltenham
37
G.R. Bricker Reserve West
Rowan Road
Moorabbin
38
Gartside Reserve
Wyndarra Cresent
Dingley Village
39
George Woods Reserve
Governor Road
Mordialloc
40
Gerry Green Reserve
Keith Street
Parkdale
Patterson Lakes
41
Gladesville Boulevard Reserve
Gladesville Boulevard
42
Glyn Court Reserve
Glyn Court
Cheltenham
43
Golf Links Crescent Reserve
Golf Links Crescent
Dingley Village
44
Golfwood Close Reserve
Golfwood Close
Dingley Village
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RH No.
PARK NAME
STREET NAME
SUBURB
45
Greenwoods Close Reserve
Greenswood Close
Dingley Village
46
Grey Street Reserve
Grey Street
Parkdale
47
Gumley Court Reserve
Gumley Court
Dingley Village
48
Heatherton Park (Ireland Road)
Ireland Road
Clayton South
49
Heatherton Park (Monster Park)
Heatherton Road
Clayton South
50
Heights Park
Thames Promenade
Chelsea Heights
51
Hendon Court Reserve
Hendon Court
Clarinda
52
Henry Street Reserve
Henry Street
Heatherton
53
Herbert Street Reserve
Herbert Street
Parkdale
54
Highett Reserve
Peace Street
Highett
55
Holland Avenue Reserve
Holland Avenue
Dingley Village
56
Iluka Reserve
Iluka Avenue
Aspendale
57
Ivy Marriott Reserve
Robert Street
Parkdale
58
Jacobs / Sundowner
Sundowner Avenue
Clayton South
59
Jean Street Reserve
Jean Street
Cheltenham
60
Judd Parade Reserve
Judd Parade
Cheltenham
61
Kearney Drive Reserve
Kearney Drive
Aspendale Gardens
62
Keeley Park
Main Road
Clayton South
63
Keith Styles Reserve
Mentone Parade
Mentone
64
Kingston Heath Reserve
Centre Dandenong Road
Cheltenham
65
L.L. Stevenson Reserve
Cnr Joelle Court & Hickman Ave
Aspendale Gardens
66
Larado Place Reserve
Larado Place
Clayton South
67
Laurie Barnett Reserve
Jacks Avenue
Dingley Village
68
Legana Court Reserve
Legana Court
Patterson Lakes
69
Leonard Close Reserve
Leonard Close
Clarinda
70
LePage Park
Argus Street
Cheltenham
71
Lincoln Drive Reserve
Lincoln Drive
Cheltenham
72
Lochiel Avenue Reserve
Lochiel Avenue
Edithvale
73
Lorna Street Reserve
Lorna Street
Cheltenham
74
Luain Avenue Reserve
Luain Avenue
Oakleigh South
75
Marriott Street Reserve
Marriott Street
Parkdale
76
Mavis Hutter Reserve
Carroll Road
Oakleigh South
77
McDonald Healy Playground
Birdwood Street
Parkdale
78
Mentone Life Saving Club
Beach Road
Mentone
79
Mentone Racecourse Reserve
Glenelg Drive
Mentone
80
Meppel Drive Reserve
Meppel Drive
Clayton South
81
Meribah Court Reserve
Meribah Court
Parkdale
82
Mernda Avenue Reserve
Mernda Avenue
Bonbeach
83
Namatjira Park
Springs Road
Clayton South
84
Page Street Reserve
Page Street
Cheltenham
85
Palm Grove Reserve
Palm Grove Boulevard
Aspendale Gardens
86
Perry Street Reserve
Perry Street
Moorabbin
87
Peter Scullin Reserve
Beach Road
Mordialloc
88
Phillip Street Reserve
Phillip Street
Mentone
89
Reg Marlow Reserve
Oak Avenue
Mentone
90
Regents Park
Sixth Avenue
Aspendale
88
Mary Jeavons Landscape Architects
Kingston City Council Playground Strategy
Volume 1 - Principles, Planning and Design of Play Spaces in the City of Kingston
RH No.
PARK NAME
STREET NAME
SUBURB
91
Rowan Road Reserve
Rowan Road
Dingley Village
92
Royal Palms Playground
Royal Palms
Aspendale Gardens
93
Scotch Parade Reserve
Scotch Parade
Bonbeach
94
Scott Avenue Reserve
Scott Avenue
Clayton South
95
Sheldon Place Reserve
Sheldon Place
Clayton South
96
Sherbrooke Avenue Reserve
Sherbrooke Avenue
Oakleigh South
97
Silver Street Reserve
Silver Street
Cheltenham
98
Sir William Fry Reserve
Nepean Highway
Highett
99
Southern Road Reserve
Acacia Avenue
Mentone
100
St Georges Crescent Reserve
St Georges Crescent
Heatherton
101
Talab Reserve
Talab Court
Chelsea Heights
102
The Grange Reserve
Osbourne Avenue
Clayton South
103
The Heath Estate Common
Sunningdale Way
Heatherton
104
The Parkway Reserve
The Parkway
Patterson Lakes
105
Third Avenue Reserve
Third Avenue
Chelsea Heights
106
Victory Park
The Strand
Chelsea
107
Walter Galt Reserve
Warren Road
Parkdale
108
Warraweena Road Reserve
Warraweena Road
Clayton South
109
White Street Reserve
Cnr White & Barkly Streets
Mordialloc
110
William Bardoel Reserve
Kingston Drive
Dingley Village
111
Williams Close Reserve
Williams Close
Dingley Village
112
Winners Circle Playground
Winners Circle
Aspendale Gardens
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Volume 1 - Principles, Planning and Design of Play Spaces in the City of Kingston
APPENDIx A.3List of Playgrounds by Suburb
RH No.
PARK NAME
STREET NAME
SUBURB
65
Regents Park
Sixth Avenue
Aspendale
66
Albany Crescent Reserve
Albany Crescent
Aspendale
67
Iluka Reserve
Iluka Avenue
Aspendale
68
Carinya Avenue Reserve
Carinya Avenue
Aspendale
41
Winners Circle Playground
Winners Circle
Aspendale Gardens
42
Amott Court Reserve
Amott Court
Aspendale Gardens
43
Palm Grove Reserve
Palm Grove Boulevard
Aspendale Gardens
44
Royal Palms Playground
Royal Palms
Aspendale Gardens
45
Kearney Drive Reserve
Kearney Drive
Aspendale Gardens
46
L.L. Stevenson Reserve
Cnr Joelle Court & Hickman Ave
Aspendale Gardens
47
Branagon Drive Reserve
Branagon Drive
Aspendale Gardens
58
Mernda Avenue Reserve
Mernda Avenue
Bonbeach
59
Bonbeach Reserve
Cannes Avenue
Bonbeach
60
Scotch Parade Reserve
Scotch Parade
Bonbeach
57
Carrum Roy Dore Reserve
Graham Road
Carrum
PFP*
Tennyson Street Reserve
Tennyson Street
Carrum
61
Bicentennial Park
Scotch Parade
Chelsea
62
Victory Park
The Strand
Chelsea
PFP*
Glenola Road Reserve
Glenola Road
Chelsea
48
Amaroo Drive Reserve
Amaroo Drive
Chelsea Heights
49
Third Avenue Reserve
Third Avenue
Chelsea Heights
50
Heights Park
Thames Promenade
Chelsea Heights
51
Talab Reserve
Talab Court
Chelsea Heights
77
Jean Street Reserve
Jean Street
Cheltenham
78
Page Street Reserve
Page Street
Cheltenham
79
Booker Street Reserve
Booker Street
Cheltenham
96
Judd Parade Reserve
Judd Parade
Cheltenham
98
Elliott Street Reserve
Elliott Street
Cheltenham
99
Follett Road Reserve
Follett Road
Cheltenham
100
Kingston Heath Reserve
Centre Dandenong Road
Cheltenham
101
Blackburn Drive Reserve
Blackburn Drive
Cheltenham
102
Lincoln Drive Reserve
Lincoln Drive
Cheltenham
103
Silver Street Reserve
Silver Street
Cheltenham
104
Lorna Street Reserve
Lorna Street
Cheltenham
105
LePage Park
Argus Street
Cheltenham
106
Friendship Square Reserve
Cavanagh Street
Cheltenham
107
Glyn Court Reserve
Glyn Court
Cheltenham
PFP*
Stanley Avenue Reserve
Cheltenham Library
Cheltenham
9
Dalbeattie Drive Reserve
Dalbeattie Street
Clarinda
10
Hendon Court Reserve
Hendon Court
Clarinda
11
Leonard Close Reserve
Leonard Close
Clarinda
12
Bald Hill Park
Inverness Street
Clarinda
90
Mary Jeavons Landscape Architects
Kingston City Council Playground Strategy
RH No.
PARK NAME
Volume 1 - Principles, Planning and Design of Play Spaces in the City of Kingston
STREET NAME
SUBURB
16
Drushi Court Reserve
Drushi Court
Clarinda
10a
Jacobs / Sundowner
Sundowner Avenue
Clayton South
13
Namatjira Park
Springs Road
Clayton South
14
Bemboka Avenue Reserve
Bemboka Avenue
Clayton South
15
Warraweena Road Reserve
Warraweena Road
Clayton South
17
Meppel Drive Reserve
Meppel Drive
Clayton South
18
Keeley Park
Main Road
Clayton South
19
First Street Reserve
First Street
Clayton South
20
Sheldon Place Reserve
Sheldon Place
Clayton South
21
The Grange Reserve
Osbourne Avenue
Clayton South
22
Scott Avenue Reserve
Scott Avenue
Clayton South
23
Larado Place Reserve
Larado Place
Clayton South
24
Heatherton Park (Ireland Road)
Ireland Road
Clayton South
24a
Heatherton Park (Monster Park)
Heatherton Road
Clayton South
25
Gartside Reserve
Wyndarra Cresent
Dingley Village
26
Greenwoods Close Reserve
Greenswood Close
Dingley Village
27
Coughlan Reserve
Seaton Drive
Dingley Village
28
Dingley Reserve
Marcus Road
Dingley Village
29
Rowan Road Reserve
Rowan Road
Dingley Village
30
Golf Links Crescent Reserve
Golf Links Crescent
Dingley Village
31
Golfwood Close Reserve
Golfwood Close
Dingley Village
32
Laurie Barnett Reserve
Jacks Avenue
Dingley Village
33
Holland Avenue Reserve
Holland Avenue
Dingley Village
34
Williams Close Reserve
Williams Close
Dingley Village
35
Ashbourne Place Reserve
Ashbourne Place
Dingley Village
36
Cassava Court Reserve
Cassava Court
Dingley Village
37
Balcombe Place Reserve
Balcombe Place
Dingley Village
38
Chadwick Reserve
Howard Road
Dingley Village
39
Gumley Court Reserve
Gumley Court
Dingley Village
40
William Bardoel Reserve
Kingston Drive
Dingley Village
63
Edithvale Reserve
Fraser Avenue
Edithvale
64
Lochiel Avenue Reserve
Lochiel Avenue
Edithvale
4
Henry Street Reserve
Henry Street
Heatherton
5
The Heath Estate Common
Sunningdale Way
Heatherton
6
St Georges Crescent Reserve
St Georges Crescent
Heatherton
76
Sir William Fry Reserve
Nepean Highway
Highett
108
Highett Reserve
Peace Street
Highett
72
Keith Styles Reserve
Mentone Parade
Mentone
73
Mentone Life Saving Club
Beach Road
Mentone
74
Balcombe Road Park
Balcombe Road
Mentone
75
Bourke & Patty Street Reserve
Cnr Bourke & Patty Streets
Mentone
80
Phillip Street Reserve
Phillip Street
Mentone
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RH No.
PARK NAME
Volume 1 - Principles, Planning and Design of Play Spaces in the City of Kingston
STREET NAME
SUBURB
94
Southern Road Reserve
Acacia Avenue
Mentone
95
Mentone Racecourse Reserve
Glenelg Drive
Mentone
97
Reg Marlow Reserve
Oak Avenue
Mentone
109
G.R. Bricker Reserve West
Rowan Road
Moorabbin
110
Perry Street Reserve
Perry Street
Moorabbin
PFP*
G.R. Bricker Reserve East
Rowan Road
Moorabbin
PFP*
Moorabbin Reserve (Football Oval)
Linton Street
Moorabbin
69
George Woods Reserve
Governor Road
Mordialloc
70
Peter Scullin Reserve
Beach Road
Mordialloc
83
Ben Kavanagh Reserve
Cnr Chute & McDonald Streets
Mordialloc
84
Doug Denyer Reserve
McDonald Street
Mordialloc
85
White Street Reserve
Cnr White & Barkly Streets
Mordialloc
86
Brownfield Street Reserve
Brownfield Street
Mordialloc
90
Duggan Street Reserve
Duggan Street
Mordialloc
1
Luain Avenue Reserve
Luain Avenue
Oakleigh South
2
Dales Park
Washington Drive
Oakleigh South
3
Sherbrooke Avenue Reserve
Sherbrooke Avenue
Oakleigh South
7
Mavis Hutter Reserve
Carroll Road
Oakleigh South
8
Dowling Road Reserve
Dowling Road
Oakleigh South
71
McDonald Healy Playground
Birdwood Street
Parkdale
81
Dolomore Reserve
Queen Street
Parkdale
82
Herbert Street Reserve
Herbert Street
Parkdale
87
Walter Galt Reserve
Warren Road
Parkdale
88
Gerry Green Reserve
Keith Street
Parkdale
89
Marriott Street Reserve
Marriott Street
Parkdale
91
Grey Street Reserve
Grey Street
Parkdale
92
Ivy Marriott Reserve
Robert Street
Parkdale
93
Meribah Court Reserve
Meribah Court
Parkdale
52
The Parkway Reserve
The Parkway
Patterson Lakes
53
Legana Court Reserve
Legana Court
Patterson Lakes
54
Arrunga Court Reserve
Arrunga Court
Patterson Lakes
55
Adelong Court Reserve
Adelong Court
Patterson Lakes
56
Gladesville Boulevard Reserve
Gladesville Boulevard
Patterson Lakes
* PFP
92
Potential Future Project
Mary Jeavons Landscape Architects
Kingston City Council Playground Strategy
Volume 1 - Principles, Planning and Design of Play Spaces in the City of Kingston
APPENDIx A.4List of Playgrounds by planning area and precinct
PRECINCT
PARK NAME
STREET NAME
SUBURB
PLANNING AREA 1 - MOORABBIN / HIGHETT
Precinct 1A - Moorabbin
109
G.R. Bricker Reserve West
Rowan Road
Moorabbin
110
Perry Street Reserve
Perry Street
Moorabbin
PFP*
G.R. Bricker Reserve East
Rowan Road
Moorabbin
PFP*
Moorabbin Reserve
Linton Street
Moorabbin
Highett Reserve
Turner Road
Highett
Sir William Fry Reserve
Nepean Highway
Highett
Luain Avenue Reserve
Luain Avenue
Oakleigh South
9
Dalbeattie Drive Reserve
Dalbeattie Drive
Clarinda
11
Leonard Close Reserve
Leonard Close
Clarinda
12
Bald Hill Park
Inverness Street
Clarinda
2
Dales Park
Washington Drive
Oakleigh South
3
Sherbrooke Avenue Reserve
Sherbrooke Avenue
Oakleigh South
7
Mavis Hutter Reserve
Carroll Road
Oakleigh South
8
Dowling Road Reserve
Dowling Road
Oakleigh South
10
Hendon Court Reserve
Hendon Court
Clarinda
10a
Jacobs / Sundowner Reserve
Sundowner Avenue
Clarinda
16
Drushi Court Reserve
Drushi Court
Clarinda
Precinct 1B - Highett
108
Precinct 1C - Highett
76
PLANNING AREA 2 - OAKLEIGH SOUTH / CLARINDA
Precinct 2A - Oakleigh South
1
Precinct 2B - Clarinda
Precinct 2C - Oakleigh South
Precinct 2D - Oakleigh South
Precinct 2E - Clarinda
PLANNING AREA 3 - CLAYTON SOUTH
Precinct 3A - Clayton South
13
Namatjira Park
Springs Road
Clayton South
14
Bemboka Avenue Reserve
Bemboka Avenue
Clayton South
15
Warraweena Road Reserve
Warraweena Road
Clayton South
20
Sheldon Place Reserve
Sheldon Place
Clayton South
21
The Grange Reserve
Osbourne Avenue
Clayton South
22
Scott Avenue Reserve
Scott Avenue
Clayton South
23
Larado Place Reserve
Larado Place
Clayton South
24
Heatherton Park (Ireland Road)
Ireland Road
Clayton South
24A
Heatherton Park (Monster Park)
Heatherton Road
Clayton South
Precinct 3B - Clayton South
Mary Jeavons Landscape Architects
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Kingston City Council Playground Strategy
PRECINCT
Volume 1 - Principles, Planning and Design of Play Spaces in the City of Kingston
PARK NAME
STREET NAME
SUBURB
PLANNING AREA 3 - CLAYTON SOUTH cont
Precinct 3C - Clayton South
19
First Street Reserve
First Street
Clayton South
17
Meppel Drive Reserve
Meppel Drive
Clayton South
18
Keeley Park
Main Road
Clayton South
Precinct 3D - Clayton South
PLANNING AREA 4 - CHELTENHAM
Precinct 4A - Cheltenham
103
Silver Street Reserve
Silver Street
Cheltenham
104
Lorna Street Reserve
Lorna Street
Cheltenham
105
LePage Park
Argus Street
Cheltenham
106
Friendship Square Reserve
Cavanagh Street
Cheltenham
107
Glyn Court Reserve
Glyn Court
Cheltenham
100
Kingston Heath Reserve
Centre Dandenong Rd
Cheltenham
101
Blackburn Drive Reserve
Blackburn Drive
Cheltenham
102
Lincoln Drive Reserve
Lincoln Drive
Cheltenham
77
Jean Street Reserve
Jean Street
Cheltenham
78
Page Street Reserve
Page Street
Cheltenham
79
Booker Street Reserve
Booker Street
Cheltenham
PFP*
Stanley Avenue Reserve
Cheltenham Library
Cheltenham
98
Elliott Street Reserve
Elliott Street
Cheltenham
99
Follett Road Reserve
Follett Road
Cheltenham
Judd Parade Reserve
Judd Parade
Cheltenham
Precinct 4B - Cheltenham
Precinct 4C - Cheltenham
Precinct 4D - Cheltenham
Precinct 4E - Cheltenham
96
PLANNING AREA 5 - HEATHERTON / DINGLEY
Precinct 5A - Heatherton
4
Henry Street Reserve
Henry Street
Heatherton
5
The Heath Estate Common
Sunningdale Way
Heatherton
6
St Georges Crescent Reserve
St Georges Crescent
Heatherton
26
Greenwoods Close Reserve
Greenswood Close
Dingley Village
27
Coughlan Reserve
Seaton Drive
Dingley Village
31
Golfwood Close Reserve
Golfwood Close
Dingley Village
25
Gartside Reserve
Wyndarra Crescent
Dingley Village
28
Dingley Reserve
Marcus Road
Dingley Village
29
Rowan Road Reserve
Rowan Road
Dingley Village
30
Golf Links Crescent Reserve
Golf Links Crescent
Dingley Village
Precinct 5B - Dingley Village
94
Mary Jeavons Landscape Architects
Kingston City Council Playground Strategy
PRECINCT
Volume 1 - Principles, Planning and Design of Play Spaces in the City of Kingston
PARK NAME
STREET NAME
SUBURB
PLANNING AREA 5 - HEATHERTON / DINGLEY cont
Precinct 5C - Dingley Village
38
Chadwick Reserve
Howard Road
Dingley Village
39
Gumley Court Reserve
Gumley Court
Dingley Village
40
William Bardoel Reserve
Kingston Drive
Dingley Village
34
Williams Close Reserve
Williams Close
Dingley Village
35
Ashbourne Place Reserve
Ashbourne Place
Dingley Village
36
Cassava Court Reserve
Cassava Court
Dingley Village
32
Laurie Barnett Reserve
Jacks Avenue
Dingley Village
33
Holland Avenue Reserve
Holland Avenue
Dingley Village
37
Balcombe Place Reserve
Balcombe Place
Dingley Village
PLANNING AREA 6 - MENTONE / PARKDALE
Precinct 6A - Mentone
74
Balcombe Road Reserve
Balcombe Road
Mentone
75
Bourke & Patty Street Reserve
Cnr Bourke St & Patty St
Mentone
80
Phillip Street Reserve
Phillip Street
Mentone
Reg Marlow Park
Oak Avenue
Mentone
94
Southern Road Reserve
Acacia Avenue
Mentone
95
Mentone Racecourse Reserve
Glenelg Drive
Mentone
72
Keith Styles Reserve
Mentone Parade
Mentone
73
Mentone Life Saving Club
Beach Road
Mentone
Dolomore Reserve
Queen Street
Parkdale
71
McDonald Healy Playground
Birdwood Street
Parkdale
82
Herbert Street Reserve
Herbert Street
Parkdale
Precinct 6B - Mentone
97
Precinct 6C - Mentone
Precinct 6D - Mentone
Precinct 6E - Parkdale
81
Precinct 6F - Parkdale
PLANNING AREA 7 - PARKDALE / MORDIALLOC
Precinct 7A - Parkdale
91
Grey Street Reserve
Grey Street
Parkdale
89
Marriott Street Reserve
Marriott Street
Parkdale
92
Ivy Marriott Reserve
Robert Street
Parkdale
93
Meribah Court Reserve
Meribah Court
Parkdale
87
Walter Galt Reserve
Warren Road
Parkdale
88
Gerry Green Reserve
Keith Street
Parkdale
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PLANNING AREA 7 - PARKDALE / MORDIALLOC cont
Precinct 7B - Mordialloc
83
Ben Kavanagh Reserve
Cnr Chute & McDonald St
Mordialloc
84
Doug Denyer Reserve
McDonald Street
Mordialloc
85
White Street Reserve
Cnr White & Barkly St
Mordialloc
69
George Woods Reserve
Governor Road
Mordialloc
86
Brownfield Street Reserve
Brownfield Street
Mordialloc
90
Duggan Street Reserve
Duggan Street
Mordialloc
Peter Scullin Reserve
Beach Road
Mordialloc
Precinct 7C - Mordialloc
Precinct 7D - Mordialloc
70
PLANNING AREA 8 - ASPENDALE / ASPENDALE GARDENS / BRAESIDE / EDITHVALE / WATERWAYS
Precinct 8A - Aspendale
64
Lochiel Avenue Reserve
Lochiel Avenue
Edithvale
65
Regents Park
Sixth Avenue
Aspendale
66
Albany Crescent Reserve
Albany Crescent
Aspendale
67
Iluka Reserve
Iluka Avenue
Aspendale
68
Carinya Avenue Reserve
Carinya Avenue
Aspendale
Precinct 8B - Aspendale Gardens
41
Winners Circle Playground
Winners Circle
Aspendale Gardens
42
Amott Court Reserve
Amott Court
Aspendale Gardens
43
Palm Grove Reserve
Palm Grove Boulevard
Aspendale Gardens
44
Royal Palms Playground
Royal Palms
Aspendale Gardens
-
Merri Drive Reserve
Merri Drive
Waterways
-
Serpentine Court Reserve
Serpentine Court
Waterways
Precinct 8C - Waterways
Precinct 8D - Aspendale Gardens
45
Kearney Drive Reserve
Kearney Drive
Aspendale Gardens
46
L.L. Stevenson Reserve
Cnr Joelle Court &
Hickman Avenue
Aspendale Gardens
47
Branagon Drive Reserve
Branagon Drive
Aspendale Gardens
Edithvale Reserve
Fraser Avenue
Edithvale
Precinct 8E - Edithvale
63
PLANNING AREA 9 - CHELSEA / CHELSEA HEIGHTS / BON BEACH
Precinct 9A - Chelsea
61
Bicentennial Park
Scotch Parade
Chelsea
PFP*
Glenola Road Reserve
Glenola Road
Chelsea
48
Amaroo Drive Reserve
Amaroo Drive
Chelsea Heights
49
Third Avenue Reserve
Third Avenue
Chelsea Heights
50
Heights Park
Thames Promenade
Chelsea Heights
51
Talab Reserve
Talab Court
Chelsea Heights
Precinct 9B - Chelsea Heights
96
Mary Jeavons Landscape Architects
Kingston City Council Playground Strategy
Volume 1 - Principles, Planning and Design of Play Spaces in the City of Kingston
PLANNING AREA 9 - CHELSEA / CHELSEA HEIGHTS / BON BEACH cont
Precinct 9C - Chelsea
62
Victory Park
The Strand
Chelsea
58
Mernda Avenue Reserve
Mernda Avenue
Bonbeach
59
Bonbeach Reserve
Cannes Avenue
Bonbeach
60
Scotch Parade Reserve
Scotch Parade
Bonbeach
The Parkway Reserve
The Parkway
Patterson Lakes
Carrum Roy Dore Reserve
Graham Road
Carrum
Tennyson Street
Carrum
Legana Court Reserve
Legana Court
Patterson Lakes
54
Arrunga Court Reserve
Arrunga Court
Patterson Lakes
55
Adelong Court Reserve
Adelong Court
Patterson Lakes
56
Gladesville Boulevard Reserve
Gladesville Boulevard
Patterson Lakes
Precinct 9D - Bon Beach
PLANNING AREA 10 - PATTERSON LAKES / CARRUM
Precinct 10A - Patterson Lakes
52
Precinct 10B - Carrum
57
PFP*
Tennyson Street Reserve
Precinct 10C - Patterson Lakes
53
Precinct 10D - Patterson Lakes
* PFP
Potential Future Project
Mary Jeavons Landscape Architects
97