A STATEMENT IN PLAY

Working with a creative custom design, this destination playspace is out of this world.

Taking play to new heights, a bespoke multilevel tower from Forpark Australia stands as the centrepiece of a new playground in Karoonda, South Australia.

Situated in the middle of the Murray Mallee region, Karoonda is an important farming area known for its production of wheat and sheep. However, one of its other intriguing highlights is the fact that a rare meteorite landed there in 1930.

Visible to the naked eye, the meteorite’s fall was observed by many and was to become a hallmark in Karoonda’s history. Attracting worldwide attention due to its unique composition, the Chondritic Asiderite meteor shattered on impact with the earth. It is this claim to fame that was to become the inspiration for Karoonda’s newest playscape.

Commissioned by the District Council of Karoonda East Murray, a statement play zone with a creative custom design was to be erected in the town centre in an effort to put Karoonda on the map as a destination stop. In close consultation with Council and members of the youth action committee, the opening of the new playspace landed on the 90th anniversary of the meteorite event, promoting its compelling legacy.

Charging Forpark, Australia’s largest playground equipment manufacturer, with undertaking the project, the new play zone took on an out-of-this-world concept inspired by the meteor crash of 1930. Responsible for the design, manufacture, installation and project management of the playspace, Forpark Australia utilised units from its SUMMIT range of play structures to complete the playscape.

The concept was carried through each custom element of the area, with local students playing a large role during the design and consultation phase. Some even got to create custom names for the launchpad and slides within the design. The layout was created to encourage active and social play while also providing quiet and passive areas to reflect and simply observe.

Running with the ‘space’ theme, Forpark Australia reached for the stars with its customisable multilevel play tower. Built to look like a spaceship on a launchpad and rising to three levels, the main attraction in the playground provides maximum play value within a compact surface area. Each level of the tower offers a series of activities to engage children of all ages and abilities. A short slide from the bottom level makes it fun for littlies or, for bigger adventurers, a climb to the top will get them a twisty slide through the ‘black hole’ and back down to earth.

Additional play elements throughout the zone continue the celestial theme. The Luna Buggy Spring Rocker was custom designed to look like a moon rover, which was paired with sand-play items to encourage imaginative and sensory play. The large Gliding Fox was introduced to give children the feeling of flying through space, and the relaxed “star gazing” hammock provides a spot to take in the night sky — and any passing meteorites. The large climbing pyramid encourages climbing and provides an additional thrill.

Specifically manufactured and designed for Australian conditions, the SUMMIT tower is a solid selection to handle the harsh environment in Karoonda. Natural colours were selected for the structures to blend harmoniously into the surrounding landscape.

The first Forpark Australia SUMMIT Tower in South Australia, the Karoonda playspace is a successful endeavour that
suits children of all ages and abilities and truly sparks the imagination.

PROJECT PARTICULARS
Client District Council of Karoonda East Murray
Location Karoonda, South Australia
Rubber Surfacing Surfacing Contractors Australia
Fencing Fencing World
Design, Manufacture, Construction & Project Management Forpark Australia