PLAYTIME X3

Playtime has been cubed in natural materials at this fun and funky bushland playspace in Victoria, with custom climbing cubes as the central theme of the new Norris Bank Reserve playspace from play specialists Omnitech Playgrounds.

Located in Bundoora, Victoria, on the north bank of Darebin Creek, the newly upgraded reserve is a result of a masterplan enacted by Whittlesea City Council; aimed at creating a regional open space for all ages and abilities, promoting social community use and events, encouraging informal active recreation, protecting and enhancing the ecological and cultural landscape, and establishing a safe and well-maintained reserve. Mission accomplished!

Stage 2 of Council’s masterplan included the construction of a major community playscape that comprised picnic facilities, a waterplay zone, a skate/bike path for beginners, and an accessible Changing Places toilet facility. To complete the project, Council contracted Omnitech, experts in new, refurbished and customised playspaces, to design, outfit and install the Norris Bank Reserve playground.

Council’s simple brief requested the construction of an appealing space that could be enjoyed by the local community and visitors to the area. With an inhouse team of knowledgeable design and fabrication specialists, Omnitech was able to meet the call for a “magical adventure playground”.

Incorporating a variety of physical and sensory activities, Omnitech designed a series of non-symmetrical cubes, ranging from 4 metres in height down to 1.2 metres, linked together through a series of physical challenges to form a large, irregularly shaped landscape that offers fun-filled adventure for all ages and abilities.

Multiple high- and low-level rope structures are suspended between the cubes or connected to the ground, making a stimulating network of climbing opportunities in the form of suspended nets, crossing bridges or swinging ropes. Three slides, including an extra-wide twin slide, vertical ladders and sliding poles offer even more chances for magical fun.

The highest tower sits at the centre of the space, rising to a dizzy 6 metres in height — perfect for the most daring of pint-sized adventurers. Four standard swings, a nest swing and an accessible liberty swing sit alongside the cubed fortress. An in-ground trampoline is available for bouncing, there’s even a puppet stage with log seats forming a small theatre space, and a double flying fox.

One of the many activities on offer, a mosaic sensory tunnel containing several tactile materials, encourages interactive play, while hidden letters stamped into custom perforated mesh panels or inscribed on timbers offer a subtle ‘seek and find’ game across the playspace.

Designed to fit into the native bushland setting, plenty of natural materials such as spotted gum were used to great effect, accented by vivid blue, purple, orange and green pops of colour.

Keeping the nature-play theme going, a separate quiet-play section offers a sandpit for digging and building, along with a waterplay zone perfect for keeping kids cool on hot days.

When the reserve opened, local community blog Mumma Knows North excitedly announced: “New park. Wow, wow, wow! What an incredible spot. There is truly something here for everyone. The park is perfect for picnics and gatherings too with several new undercover picnic and barbecue areas.”

Nothing like an endorsement from the local parenting community to cement a new playground’s success! #parenttickofapproval

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PROJECT PARTICULARS
Client City of Whittlesea
Location Bundoora, Victoria
Contractor Omnitech Playgrounds
Equipment Supply & Install Omnitech Playgrounds