Artist’s impression of the new Variety Livvi’s Place at Lt Cantello Reserve.
Liverpool City Council has commenced construction on Liverpool’s first Variety Livvi’s Place inclusive playspace at Lt Cantello Reserve, Hammondville.
Designed in partnership with Variety – the Children’s Charity NSW/ACT, the inclusive playspace is being funded by Council to the value of $800,000 which also includes surrounding pathways, parking and upgrades to roads and amenities.
Mayor of Liverpool Wendy Waller said Liverpool wants to be known as a place that celebrates inclusivity, and Variety Livvi’s Place will provide the first of many more inclusive play destinations for local and neighbouring communities.
“This new playground is the result of collaboration between Council, Variety and the local community and will be a fantastic place for families to socialise and for children of all abilities to play,” Mayor Waller said.
“Our experience in the COVID-19 pandemic has further strengthened the importance of open spaces, parks and playgrounds for our health and wellbeing. We are focused on providing more inclusive facilities such as this in our parks and playgrounds so every member of the community can reap its benefits.
“We want to thank our partner Variety for bringing their hard work, innovation and energy to this project to create one of the leading inclusive playspaces in Australia and an anchor for members of the Hammondville community and beyond.”
Kim Becherand, Head of Inclusive Play, Variety – the Children’s Charity NSW/ACT, said, “Variety Livvi’s Place at Lt Cantello Reserve is an exciting part of our mission to make play available to all kids within their local communities.
“We have worked with community groups and Council to design this unique and fun playspace.
“Nestled in nature, it fits into the wider park beautifully and will be a play oasis for all in the community now and into the future.
“We’re very excited to be partnering with Liverpool City Council, changing the way their public playspaces are built.”
“Forming part of the national network of Livvi’s Places it is wonderful to see Livvi’s legacy live on in more inclusive playspaces, to ensure all children have the opportunity to play,” Variety Board member and Touched by Olivia Foundation founder Justine Perkins, said.
Steve Walding, Managing Director of playspace specialists Proludic, said, “At Proludic, inclusive design is fundamental. We’ve had a longstanding commitment to creating play equipment and playspaces that the whole community can enjoy.”
“Working collaboratively with the team at Liverpool City Council and Variety has resulted in the evolution of the design of this innovative inclusive playspace that will bring joy to so many families. We’re thrilled to be delivering this playspace for Liverpool City Council.”
Features of the new Variety Livvi’s Place at Lt Cantello Reserve include:
- Custom-built Bespoke tower with 8-metre-long slide;
- Inclusive seesaw;
- Custom-built embankment slide with inclusive exit;
- Pod swing;
- Inclusive carousel;
- Interactive items including talk tubes, play house, harmony bells, handpipes and babel drum;
- Inclusive trampolines; and
- Nature play, sensory and quiet areas.
Construction on the project is expected to be completed by December 2021, subject to weather and Public Health Order restrictions.
More details can be found on Council’s Current Major Works including a fly-through of Variety Livvi’s Place at Lt Cantello Reserve: https://www.liverpool.nsw.gov.au/development/current-major-works
