Blacktown City Mayor Tony Bleasdale OAM will open a new inclusive adventure play space for people of all abilities at Nurragingy Reserve in Doonside.
Mr Bleasdale said, “The Wawai Ngurra playspace, in the green heart of our City at Nurragingy Reserve, includes adventurous elements that children of all ages and abilities can enjoy. It is the City’s first fully inclusive playspace, designed and delivered by Blacktown City Council.”
Wawai is a Dharug word for spirit (river monster) and Ngurra (pronounced Nura) is Country.
Kids of all ages and abilities will be able to access unique features that include a customised 85- metre-long elevated walkway, a Changing Places facility, all access swings, musical items, trampoline, a sand table, quiet places and a play sculpture.
The Wawai Ngurra inclusive playspace is located in a natural space in the heart of the Nurragingy Reserve, in the shade of mature eucalypt bushland.
Blacktown City Council staff volunteered alongside Greater Sydney Landcare to enhance the surrounding space by planting more trees, native to the Nurragingy, Western Sydney Parklands Area.
Council’s commitment to providing the inclusive play space at Nurragingy is reflective of the importance it places in providing increased opportunities to connect all members of the thriving communities across Blacktown City.
The centrepiece of the inclusive playspace design is a customised elevated walkway, which will enable all users to reach a top platform with a play area, 3.5 metres above the ground. There will also be various play opportunities intertwined with the walkway for all visitors to experience and enjoy.
Council’s Leo Kelly Blacktown Arts centre worked with Darug Artist Leanne Watson and consultants in developing ideas for signage and symbols used in the playspace.
This playspace removes the barriers that have in the past stopped everyone playing together. All members of the community can come and play and relax in an inclusive and safe play space.”
Council was proud to collaborate and consult with Variety – the Children’s Charity – and the Touched by Olivia organisation to deliver the Wawai Ngurra playspace as a project for the whole community.
“Nature play is something we all need, but time spent in the wonders of the outside world is not easy, or even possible for many of us”, said Justine Perkins, Founder of Touched by Olivia and Livvi’s mum.
“Working in partnership with Blacktown City Council, the community, designers and builders, the Wawai Ngurra playspace challenges the boundaries to design and deliver a safe, fun and inclusive play oasis for everyone, where nature meets adventure and everything in between.
“By connecting to place, families and children can experience nature and adventure play together, with boundless choices on offer. Accessible pathways, parking, and a full Changing Places amenity means you can stay for an hour or stay for a whole day.
“Come join us at Livvi’s Place where inclusion isn’t something special – it just is. Let’s Play!”
The $1.9 million-dollar project has been fully delivered by Blacktown City Council, supported by grants from the Federal Government ‘Local Roads and Community Infrastructure’, NSW Government’s ‘Everyone Can Play’ and ‘Public Spaces Legacy Program’ and Council funding programs.
