Pialba All Abilities Playground
- Council:
- Fraser Coast Regional Council
- Playground location:
- Seafront Oval, Charlton Esplanade, Pialba, Hervey Bay
- Size:
- 4000m2
- Council contact:
- Capital Projects Coordinator David Ramsay on (07) 4197 4444
Site background
Playground site: Seafront Oval site
From a collection of small holiday villages to a dynamic urban centre of approximately 55,000 people, Hervey Bay has experienced considerable population growth over the past 10 to 15 years. It is well-renowned for its natural environment, including calm-water beaches, annual whale migration, World Heritage-listed Fraser Island and the Great Sandy Strait.
Located on the Pialba foreshore, Seafront Oval has historically been a hub for community activities. The site also includes areas which are significant to the indigenous community, including a traditional gathering area and a memorial to the Butchulla people.
The community is structured around a network of parks, walkways and cycle paths. The addition of an all abilities playground at the Seafront Oval will further strengthen its accessibility status and provide a place where people with and without disabilities can interact and enjoy the benefits of play together.
"Council firmly believes in the importance of providing attractive, interesting and safe play areas for all children" — Helen Carroll, former local council Executive Manager (Recreation and Open Space).
Planning and design
To ensure the play space's design reflects the desires of the community, a comprehensive community engagement program was developed and implemented with the support of consultants engaged by council.
A range of engagement activities were deployed throughout the planning and design phase, including:
- focus groups and one-to-one interviews with key stakeholders
- school workshops, involving more than 70 students in total from Pialba Primary School's Special Education Unit, Hervey Bay Special School and Kawungan State Primary School's Special Education Unit
- dedicated workshops for target groups, including service providers, Indigenous, seniors, playgroup, and teacher and parent groups
- My Playground Design surveys, developed by Disability Services
- SpeakOut, a family fun day held on-site in September 2008, where community members were encouraged to have their say on concept design plans
- a dedicated design workshop, attended by key stakeholders, aimed at refining design plans in line with community feedback.
A community reference group, led by local resident Joanne Argyle, was established to assist the project team in the implementation of these engagement activities and to provide feedback on an ongoing basis.
Final design
The design of Pialba’s all abilities play space is inspired by the surrounding environment, culture and history.
The design includes various spaces and elements that encourage diversity in the play experiences of all children, regardless of their age or ability.
An area outlined by the giant porpoise encourages spinning and swinging through the incorporation of:
- a roundabout which is accessible for children who use wheelchairs
- swings with varied seating to suit a range of abilities.
The area is connected to the shipwreck via both the main path and a timber path, offering alternative entry options into the custom-designed shipwreck play area.
The design of the shipwreck area encourages children to explore various shapes and textures, and to exercise their creativity. The space includes:
- elevated sand tables
- an interactive musical turtle with sounds
- hand pump
- totems marking the Southern Cross, so children can ‘navigate by the stars’ and locate the South Pole.
The shipwreck area then leads onto a Vortex Maze, which was inspired by swirling water. Here, children are encouraged to use their imagination and explore while tracing the maze. The maze also includes:
- explanatory panels
- tactile poles
- a movement-activated sound element featuring 18 recorded sounds, including sounds of waves crashing and seagulls squawking.
A path leads from the maze to a lookout, where children can experience a sense of elevation, take in the view and contemplate the next play adventure.
Other playground elements and facilities include: kick-about areas, various sheltered barbecue and picnic areas, accessible toilets, an accessible drinking fountain, pathways and accessible car parking.
The playground's design was created by play space designer Ric McConaghy in collaboration with Plan C, Lange Design and local disability consultant Joanna Argyle.
NOTE: Conceptual plans are examples only, so please refer to final or finishing plans to view final design elements.
Construction
Auxiliary works on carpark and toilet facilities were completed in September 2009.
Construction on the playground is planned to commence late 2009.
For more information, contact Fraser Coast Regional Council.
Last reviewed: 11 November 2009