KENMORE STATE SCHOOL

Kenmore State School’s brief was to refurbish the prep playground into a nature play format with more platform-based play activities, and Austek Play exceeded expectations with their nature-inspired playground design, which provides a wide variety of nature play activities with the capability to accommodate a large number of simultaneous users.

During the design process, Austek Play incorporated student ideas, and collaborated with Kenmore State School throughout the process to help them achieve their vision for the nature-inspired play space.

During the installation, Austek Play enhanced the existing natural features of the area, including restoring the timber seating and shaping, stabilising and reinforcing the embankment to make it safe and suitable for play. The placement of the play equipment was carefully planned to incorporate and fully utilise the natural space and assets, such as the shade provided by nearby trees.

The stand-out features of the new Kenmore State School playground are the two custom-designed timber play units, manufactured in the Austek Play workshop by the carpentry team from locally and sustainably sourced native Australian timber. When placed amongst other nature-play activities, the units engage users by offering a multitude of entry and exit points, and transition between heights, which will encourage them to move through the equipment in a variety of challenging and exciting ways. The timber units also include an ensemble of play activities that are age-specific and provide an abundant opportunity for the development of essential motor skills and cognitive decision making.

The safety of the students was thoroughly considered in the design of the play space, and was addressed by providing shade and rest areas for the comfort of both the students and supervising teachers, and by establishing zones that aid the teachers in supervising. Another safety feature included in the play space is the use of two different softfall surfaces - Takura Mulch which is a non-toxic and dust-free bark alternative; and CSBR rubber surfacing made from recycled Australian tyres, strategically placed around the play equipment.

Austek Play’s combination of design elements came together to deliver a striking and highly functional play area - since its installation, this play space has been a hit with both the students and teachers at Kenmore State School.