NEW PLAYGROUND TAKES OFF

Ecco Ripley is a new community development in the City of Ipswich, Queensland. It is the state’s biggest housing development and Australia's largest master planned community to date.

The parks at the new residential development in Ripley QLD were designed and constructed thanks to the collaborative efforts of Playscape Creations, landscape architecture company Saunders Havill and Interface Landscapes.

Faye Carr Park is filled with exciting play opportunities for kids of all ages and abilities.

The central playspace features a custom Tri-Tower system – a unique first in the Australian market – that is bold, vibrant and full of thrilling experiences. The varied heights of what has become known as the ‘rocket ships’ create a striking visual and are packed with sensory panels, activities, varied climbing access points and exit slides. The central pod invites the more able climbers up to the viewing deck, which features a periscope and additional sensory activity panels, where they can survey the overall playspace, deciding where to play next. Parents love that there’s room for them to climb up too!

With Playscape Creations’ signature sensory design methodology in mind, the design executed a zoned play experience for everyone. Adjacent to the main play system is a junior SmartPlay Cube, packed with a collection of interactive play features for the younger children.

Social swinging can be enjoyed by all on the five-way swing, with both toddler and inclusive swing seats included in the design. Kids can choose to spin and climb on the inclusive Global Motion, designed for wheelchair accessibility so that everyone can join in the fun.  Finally, this zone includes the We-Saw, with seats designed to support limited upper body strength so that up to seven users can seesaw together, creating a social fun experience.

Adjacent to this space is a double ZipKrooz system – because who doesn't love to fly!  Children race each other as they ‘Zip’ along this ultra-smooth two-way ride, which elimates the need to walk the seat all the way back to the beginning. Built-in elevation helps riders gain momentum at the beginning and slow down at the end, and with the unique four-trolley system, the ride is engineered for exceptional quality, comfort and safety.

Yet another bespoke play experience was delivered down the pathway with the Snakes and Ladders themed toddler zone. Utilising the natural topography, a rubber footpath leads through the space, using the embankment for the snake slides or rope-climb ladders. Children spin the panel and move the allocated spaces, sliding down or climbing up to win the game.

This area also incorporates the Smart Play Motion, providing 16 developmental activities for young players - additional climbing and sliding, activity panels and a very cool car racing track.  A Toddler Swing, OmniSpin spinner, Superscoops, a custom rope run, rubber domes, spinners and more hidden features complete this area, leading to the adjacent bike riding track. The play experience in this zone will keep young players absorbed for hours.

The Parks Alive opening day was a huge success, with a beautiful sunny day that helped to welcome this new space into the community. To find out more about this project and the fantastic range of equipment used, contact Playscape Creations or visit their website via the links below.