A DIAMOND IN GOLD COUNTRY

Reflecting its gold mining history, this playspace is a shiny nugget of fun embedded in a picturesque Australian landscape.

Located in Diamond Creek, 23 kilometres north-east of Melbourne, Victoria, Diamond Creek Reserve is a nature park featuring a series of trails and tracks for cycling and pedestrians that displays one of the best landscapes Australia has to offer. Wanting to raise the amenity and public facilities for the region, Nillumbik Shire Council contracted ACE Landscape Services to design and construct a new playscape within the Reserve.

Working with Council and the community, a nature-based theme was created for the playspace that would provide a high level of play experience for all ages and abilities, and would also pay homage to its bushland setting and its proximity to Diamond Creek. Using the region’s gold mining history as inspiration, the new Diamond Creek Regional Playspace features plenty of timber and natural stone, landscaped rises and open lawn.

Wanting to use play structures that not only stood the test of time but also fit with the natural and historical theme of the playscape, ACE contracted Urbania — Australian Sales Partner and authorised installer of Richter Spielgeräte play equipment. Specialists in playspace construction, Urbania deals directly with Richter Spielgeräte, supporting its “as much play value as possible, as much safety as necessary” ethos in all its projects.

With a focus on safety, stability, sustainability, and play value, Richter Spielgeräte play structures were the fitting choice for the Diamond Creek project. Celebrating the character of organic materials such as natural timber and all the beauty it offers, Richter Spielgeräte eschew coatings and lacquers that could be potentially harmful to the environment, instead expertly engineering each piece for safety and producing unique pieces for quality play that meet Australian standards. What could look more authentic in a ‘gold rush-inspired’ playspace?

Built to handle Australian conditions, the structures installed include a ‘mining village’ comprised of a series of accessible low-level ramps and bridges interconnecting a cluster of cubby houses, a unique timber climbing structure designed to offer physical challenges and maximum play value, alongside swings, slides and a ropes course, as well as a spectacular flying fox.

Built to resemble a mine poppet head — the wooden structures seen dotting goldfields used to haul equipment, ore, miners, and occasionally gold, out of underground mines — the flying fox slides little (and big) adventurers across a field of softfall mulch at thrilling speeds. Rounding out the playground is a sandpit, complete with ‘mining equipment’ kids can use to pan for gold-painted rocks — just like in the olden days.

Constructed at a cost of $2.5 million pulled from the Victorian Government’s Growing Suburbs Fund, the Diamond Creek Regional Playspace sits alongside the new Tram Café, which was constructed out of a fully renovated historic W-class tram, one of 130 retired Yarra Trams given a new home through the State Government, and a walking labyrinth — a contemplative pathway woven into the landscape, used for walking and meditation.

The improvements made to the reserve were much needed by the local community and are a big hit with kids and adults alike, enhancing rather than destroying the natural beauty of the bushland environment.

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PROJECT PARTICULARS
Client ACE Landscape Services
Location Nillumbik, Victoria
Contractors ACE Contractors Group
Landscape Architect Stratis
Play Equipment Supply Richter Spielgeräte
Play Equipment Install Urbania

COMPANY
Urbania