Blacktown City Mayor Tony Bleasdale OAM has turned the first sod on a new inclusive adventure playspace for people of all abilities at Nurragingy Reserve.
Construction is well underway on the $1.9 million project in Doonside, which is set to be one of the largest playspaces in Blacktown City and Council’s first inclusive-designed playspace.
Some inclusive features of the unique playspace include a customised elevated walkway, Changing Places facility, musical items, trampoline, sand table and play sculpture.
Mayor Bleasdale said Council was proud to partner with Variety – the Children’s Charity – to deliver the exciting new project for the whole community.
“This project is the first citywide inclusive playspace designed and delivered by Blacktown City Council and will include fun elements for people of all ages, abilities and backgrounds to enjoy,” he said.
“The playspace will embrace the bushland character of Nurragingy Reserve, with a ‘megafauna theme’ which incorporates ancient animals that lived with the Dharug people.
“Council is committed to providing more opportunities for our residents to be more active, more often, and this playspace will be a wonderful addition to the more than 1000 parks in Blacktown City.”
Council worked with local Dharug artist Leanne Watson who helped provide an understanding of local Indigenous history. Her ideas, were included in the design through various symbols.
The centrepiece of the design is a customised elevated walkway, which will enable all users to reach a top platform with a netting section, 3.5 metres above the ground. There will also be various play opportunities intertwined with the walkway for all visitors to experience and enjoy.
The playspace will also be the first to feature communication boards, a tool which enables those who are non-verbal to communicate with others.
Vanessa Barry, Variety – the Children’s Charity Chief Executive Officer said, “Variety is proud to work alongside communities, to make an inclusive playspace a reality. Variety Livvi’s Place playspaces are a key element of our broader mission to make sure no child misses out on what they need to join in to be just like everyone else.”
“The Variety Livvi’s Place Nurragingy is an exciting part of our mission to make play available to all kids within their community. It’s been an exciting project to be a part of and we cannot wait to see the community enjoying this innovative playspace”.
The project has been 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.
Construction is progressing, with the playspace expected to open to the community in Spring 2022.
Photo: Blacktown City Mayor Tony Bleasdale OAM (second from left) turns the first sod on the new inclusive adventure playspace with councillors (left to right) Moninder Singh, Carol Israel and Bob Fitzgerald.
