AN URBAN TREEHOUSE LIKE NO OTHER

The first public playground in Melbourne gets an epic makeover

Originally built in 1907, Lincoln Square in Carlton, Victoria, was home to the first public playground. In 2021, it received an upgrade that has made it once again a destination public space for the greater community.

In 2019, City of Melbourne started the revitalisation of the park by converting public roadways and expanding the park by 3000 square metres. The upgrade continued in 2021 with a new playspace, which included play structures from KOMPAN that promote imaginative, active and nature-based play in children from toddlers to teens.

Health and Wellbeing portfolio Councillor Dr Olivia Ball said, “Carlton is one of the fastest growing areas in our municipality and playgrounds like this one are vital for the many young families who call Carlton home.

“By expanding and improving our greenspaces, we’re helping to ensure Melbourne remains a highly desirable place to live, work and visit.”

With the aim of improving and promoting public health and wellbeing, experts in the design and manufacture of quality play structures KOMPAN was commission for the design, engineering, project management and manufacturing of play equipment for the new Lincoln Square playspace.

Part of a $3 million redevelopment plan conceived by City of Melbourne, the new expanded park space and playground was required to integrate the 150-year-old Morten Bay Fig trees onsite into its design. Working with that important factor, KOMPAN came up with a ‘treehouse’ concept that would take the historic landscape into account.

Elevating users of the play equipment into the canopy of the trees was achieved by KOMPAN with the inclusion of two 6.8-metre climbing towers, linked by a bridge with a variety of access points. This created a small softfall footprint, giving the surrounding vegetation a safe protection zone. A tunnel slide from one tower offers a fast and fun way to reach the ground, while a rope-climbing structure offers an alternative from the other end.

The sculptural towers were created using KOMPAN’s organic Robinia range. The natural timber of the cabins will patina over time, softening the appearance of the structures and further aiding their integration into the natural landscape. This natural process encourages children to be at one with nature inside the play zone.

Resting lightly on the ground due to its engineering, the custom play solution is very site responsive. The lack of ground-level surface coverage across the space leaves plenty of room for significant roots systems, and takes advantage of the natural shade. An elevated pathway runs in and around the playspace, giving kids of all abilities access, as well as allowing all users to get up close to the magnificent trees and interact with them without causing damage.

The netted treetop walk between towers is awe-inspiring and great fun for users. Fitting into the area’s topography, not only does it offer spatial awareness, thanks to the transparent nets, interaction with peers or parents from this lofty height is also possible. The inclusion of a small play hut for toddlers also means there is plenty of play experience for all age groups.

By combining modern technology and the understanding of the importance of play, both physically and emotionally, along with the integration of natural and historic aspects into this playscape, KOMPAN has created a unique play zone with something for everyone.

PROJECT PARTICULARS
Client City of Melbourne
Location Lincoln Square, Carlton
Landscape Contractor Multipro Civil
Playground Installation Commercial Play
Design, Engineering & Manufacturing KOMPAN Australia