Queensland All Abilities Playground Project

• About the project
• Playground site locations
  • Ayr
  • Blackwater
  • Broadbeach
  • Capalaba
  • Edmonton
  • Gympie
  • Landsborough
  • Logan Central
  • Mackay
  • Mossman
  • Mount Isa
  • New Mapoon
  • Normanton
  • Pialba
  • Texas
  • Thuringowa Central
  • Yeppoon
• Design Framework
• Pioneer Park
  • Physical development
  • Sensory
  • Learning
  • Facilities
  • Accessibility
• Resources
• Contacts

Texas All Abilities Playground

Council:

Goondiwindi Regional Council

Playground location:

East Broadway, Texas

Size:

4740m²

Council contact:

Community Development Officer David Hayward on 0428 719 083 or email DHayward@goondiwindiRC.qld.gov.au

More information about the Texas All Abilities Playground is available from the Goondiwindi Regional Council website.

Site background

Playground site: East Broadway parklands

The community’s vision for the East Broadway site has long been to transform it into multi-user recreational space, which meets the needs of people of all ages, abilities and interests.

Prior to the playground project, a skate ramp was developed on the site, with council working collaboratively with various community stakeholders, including local young people. The inclusion of a play environment for younger children and their families was a natural step in the park’s redevelopment.

Located within 200 metres of the town centre, the park is well-placed to host a play space that addresses the needs of children of all abilities, their families and the broader community.

Planning and design

Community members workshop ideas

More than 250 local residents, including 85 students from Texas State School, participated in the planning and design of the Texas All Abilities Playground. A wide range of activities were held to capture the community's view and aspirations for the park, including:

• children's workshops
• student council projects
• community workshops and focus groups in Town Hall
• surveys.

Final design

Almost 12 months in the making, the design of this innovative play space is truly one-of-a-kind, and maximises children's sensory, motor, imaginative and educational play experiences. A major contributor to its uniqueness has been the involvement of local children with and without a disability, and their families, at every stage of planning and design.

The play space was inspired by Texas of yesteryear. Playground elements include:

• a coffee shop facade
• a sensory garden with carefully selected plants that encourage children to use the senses of touch, smell, sight and taste
• open play areas
• a sand and water-play area modelled on the old "Silver Spur" mine
• a flying fox with harness
• toddler and hand-powered swings
• walkways and surfaces that allow full access to all play areas
• native trees to attract local bird life
• fully-accessible amenities, such as a barbecue, picnic area, and toilet facilities.

The playground's design was created by The Play Works.

MEDIA RELEASE: Texas leads the way — and children to benefit: Minister (13 February 2009)

Construction and opening

Image gallery: Construction on the Texas All Abilities Playground

Goondiwindi Regional Council turned the first sod at the site of the Texas All Abilities Playground in April 2009.

Construction on the main playground area was completed in September, with a Community Planting Day held on September 30.

Opening celebrations will be held on-site on Friday 27 November, from 11am. The event will feature an official opening reception, followed by fun activities in the park. All welcome.

For more information, contact council.

Last reviewed: 11 November 2009