Construction of an exciting new suburban level playspace and new public toilets facilities at Garden Gully Recreation Reserve has commenced.
The design of the new playspace has been informed by a comprehensive community consultation process undertaken in 2025. It will feature a range of nature based and interactive play options including:
- Senior play tower for climbing and sliding with a pole vaulter for gliding between towers
- Accessible Junior play tower complete with a shop front, slide and interactive panels
- A big swing unit with a basket swing, an accessible seat and a toddler seat
- Small swing unit with two standard seats
- All access carousel
- Spring rocker
- Weave poles, steppers, balance boulders, nature play area and play tunnel
- A basketball and netball half court
- Places for ball play
Other features include:
- BBQ facilities and shelter
- Seating, drinking fountain and bike parking hoops
- Communication board and Djaara artworks
- New paths, irrigated lawn areas, plants and trees
The new public toilets will be a modular construction with one all abilities and two neutral ambulant toilets. A baby changing station will be provided within the all-abilities toilet.
Greater Bendigo Mayor Cr Thomas Prince said the playspace and public toilets are both key projects of the updated Garden Gully Recreation Reserve Masterplan.
“In 2024 the City of Greater Bendigo updated the reserve’s existing masterplan to incorporate new public toilets and a new suburban level playspace in a safer and more accessible location west of the existing hockey ground and provide new paths and linkages to the future Ironbark Gully Trail,” Cr Prince said.
“The existing neighbourhood level playspace will remain in operation until construction of the new playspace is completed. Following construction of the new playspace the existing playspace will be dismantled and removed.”
This $1M project is funded by the City of Greater Bendigo and includes a funding contribution of $100,000 by the Australian Government through the Commonwealth Accessible Australia initiative. Works are expected to be completed in the first half of 2027.
