Mount Isa Family Fun Park
- Council:
- Mount Isa City Council
- Playground location:
- Bordering Church and Isa Streets, Mount Isa
- Size:
- Approximately 15,000m2 (all abilities playground component is approximately 3000m2)
- Council contact:
- Landscape Architect and Technical Officer Jessica Bennett on (07) 4747 3200 or email design@mountisa.qld.gov.au
More information about the Mount Isa Family Fun Park is available from the Mount Isa City Council website.
Site background
Playground site: Land off Church and Isa Streets in Mount Isa
At about 3000m2, Mount Isa's new all abilities playground represented about one fifth of the city's Family Fun Park development.
The development formed part of a long-term strategy for renewal of Mount Isa's sport and recreation facilities, and was funded by a range of government and corporate partners. Its major funding partners were the Queensland Government, including Q150 Funding Assistance, Mount Isa City Council and Xstrata Mount Isa Mines.
The site itself is within walking distance from the city centre, in a previously under-utilised area near established recreational facilities, including a swimming pool, skate park and the Police Citizens Youth Club.
Planning and design
More than 500 local residents, including 86 school students, participated in the planning and design of the Family Fun Park and its all abilities playground.
A range of activities were held to determine the communities' hopes and desires for the project, including:
- public surveys
- letter drops
- a community forum
- school presentations
- consultation with emergency services personnel, representatives from Xstrata Mount Isa Mines and other stakeholders.
Final design
The design of Mount Isa's Family Fun Park offers a wide variety of play opportunities in the one large parklands location, including the 3000m2 all abilities playground.
The design is unlike any other in the region, much thanks to input provided by the local community.
The play space is divided into various play areas, including water, junior, senior and open play areas.
The accessible water play area includes interactive water features, such as a touch-activated keyboard and animal sound sprays, suitable for children of all abilities, including those who use a wheelchair for mobility.
Other fun park and playground features include:
- a wheelchair-accessible Liberty Swing
- a double flying fox
- bike tracks
- a sensory garden.
Facilities include accessible toilets, undercover barbecue and picnic areas, outdoor showers and drinking fountains, plus 20 colourful shade sails and perimeter fencing.
Access to play elements and throughout the park is by pathways and extensive rubber soft-fall surfacing.
The fun park's design was created by a Mount Isa City Council team, led by Landscape Architect and Technical Officer Jessica Bennett.
Construction and opening
Construction on the Family Fun Park commenced in February 2009 and finished in May 2009.
On Friday 5 June 2009, about 150 local children and community members gathered at the park’s entrance to celebrate its official opening by Deputy Premier Paul Lucas, as part of Q150 celebrations.
The occasion was a double celebration, with onlookers also witnessing the first of 16 new all abilities playgrounds to open across the state as part of the Queensland Government’s popular All Abilities Playground Project.
The opening event was a great success, with celebrations extending well into the weekend.
To view photos taken during opening celebrations, go to the image gallery.
For more information, contact Mount Isa City Council.
Last reviewed: 11 November 2009