GLADSTONE PUTS PLAY FIRST

Gladstone Council is promoting the importance of healthy outdoor living and kids play value, installing two Queensland firsts in innovative play equipment. Council, partnering with local company, Urban Play, is making play history with two consecutive park openings installing Queensland’s first Hans Christian Andersen fairy tale play structure at Barney Point Foreshore and Mouse House at Bunting Park.

Barney Point Foreshore has been the talk of the town, sparking community interest in the new digital playground. Rather than resisting advances in technology, KOMPAN’s latest range of SMART playgrounds, first in Queensland installed at Barney point, has taken a step forward, embracing technology, with a built-in QR Code opening the doors to a complete virtual world of fairy tale play, including a read along/aloud story book available in 16 different languages.

The SMART play structures have been titled the playground of the 21^st century, bringing to life the much loved fairy tales by Hans Christian Andersen combining the physical and virtual world creating the complete play interaction. The App based portal, able to be downloaded on both smartphones and tablets, means children can play, learn and share everywhere: at the park, at home and at school. Gladstone has truly set the benchmark for park playspaces encouraging active outdoor learning.

Being installed at Bunting Park is the distinctive Mouse House roller, made from beautiful natural timber wood, providing a thrilling carnival inspired play experience. This innovative play structure is designed for children of all ages and abilities. The mouse house brings a new dimension/element of play and is guaranteed to attract community near and far to Gladstone, being the first in Queensland to have this structure in ground. It is clear Gladstone and Urban Play are leading the fight against boring playgrounds.

Urban Play director Ben Urban, has commended Council on their initiative saying “It is fantastic to see Gladstone Regional Council putting kids play value at the forefront of their park plans. Gladstone has definitely been put on the map with these two Queensland firsts.”

Gladstone has recognised the importance of play and getting kids and the wider community outdoors by including in their parks’ play spaces unique and innovative play equipment. Barney Point Foreshore has been open for play since 27^th of August with Bunting Park set to open soon. The investment is paying off with great responses from the community and most importantly kids and parents flocking the parks over the weekends.