LIVVI’S PLACE INCLUSIVE PLAYGROUND

Gunnedah Shire’s brand new all-inclusive playspace at Wolseley Park features Proludic’s bespoke Koala Tower, unique in Australia, accessible Recycling Truck, award-winning Inclusive Trampolines and more for everyone to play!

The project of an inclusive playground for ALL abilities (Livvi’s Place) in Gunnedah was driven by a local mum who started a petition in 2013 after she realised she was not alone in facing issues when she visited local parks with her young daughter and her son, who has autism.

The design was given the nod by Gunnedah Shire Council and the concept plan was developed by Kathryn Yigman of Stewart Surveys following extensive consultation with the community and the Inclusive Playground Working Group. The project then received funding from the State Government’s Stronger Country Communities program.

Proludic worked closely with Gunnedah Shire Council and Stewart Surveys to design and develop bespoke, inclusive play equipment solutions that also represent items of local significance, such as koalas.

The inclusive playspace design meets the principles of the NSW Government Everyone Can Play guidelines, incorporating areas for active and passive play for children of different age groups and abilities, a sensory garden, picnic facilities, park shelters, barbeques and seating.

Featuring in the junior play area and nestled among the trees is Proludic’s seven-metre-high bespoke Koala Adventure Tower, designed to highlight the furry local icon and Gunnedah Shires’ importance as the “Koala Capital of the world”!

Proludic’s unique and award-winning ‘Grafic Games’ technique was used to apply custom designed graphics to feature panels of koalas and gumtree leaves that are attached to the tower structure. The friendly koalas delight the locals and ignite the imagination!

The giant tower structure provides challenging physical, imaginative and social play opportunities for children from 2-12 years, and is designed to support children of varied physical and intellectual abilities.

It includes a towering spiral tube slide and myriad climbing challenges, as well as a wide variety of interactive and sensory play panels located at various levels. A ground-level sensory play table is accessible by children using mobility aids, and an access platform with large supportive handles and decks enable children to transfer from ground-level to the tower. The wide staircase with enclosed side panels enables children to access the upper level play features, along with a supportive carer when needed.

The play zone catering for younger children features Proludic’s inclusive and accessible Recycling Truck (J2684) designed not only as a fun space, but also to highlight the importance of recycling and environmental responsibility.

The Recycling Truck features many play activities such as climbing, sliding, balancing, manipulative play, observation and thinking games. Educational play panels associated with the recycling theme are present throughout and are accessible from both inside and outside the structure. A wheelchair-accessible ramp and a large space inside enables children in wheelchairs to play with other children, regardless of the different abilities of each child. There is also plenty of room for carers to assist.

Additional Proludic inclusive play elements in this play zone include the award-winning Proludic Inclusive Trampolines (R34-ETP-500; R34-ETP-000) that give all children the opportunity to experience the joy and fun of bouncing; and the Tubophone J3410 (Talk Tubes) that encourage communication and interactive play among both children and adults.

Other play areas that comprise the playground include a flying fox, swings and a wheelchair accessible sandpit. Accessible paths and safety surfacing throughout the entire playspace ensure everyone can gain access to each play area and provide a safe zone for kids to have a fantastic time together.

Proludic was pleased to receive the following comments from Director of Stewart Surveys Kathryn Yigman in regards to the collaborative work:

“Our project in Gunnedah is complete, looking great and receiving lots of positive feedback. Thanks for all your help with the project and supplying high quality equipment. We hope to work with you again in the future.”

CLICK HERE to find out more about this exciting project.

Site Wolseley Park, 94-142 Conadilly Street, Gunnedah NSW 2380

Client Gunnedah Shire Council

Age Range from 1 year old; all-abilities

Opened December 2019