August 2023 Update:

Playground renewal set to begin

The City of Greater Geelong is set to begin its local playground renewal process with work beginning on Belmont’s Francis Reserve, Highton’s Gwyther Reserve, Leopold’s Lubeck Reserve and Moolap Reserve in the City’s east, this month.

The developments are the first phase of the City’s annual playground renewal program with September to see work begin on Waurn Ponds’ Malbec Loop Reserve, Breamlea Reserve and Malcolm Reserve in Clifton Springs.

In addition, the fort at East Geelong’s Pevensey Park and the climbing pyramid at Barwon Valley Fun Park will soon be replaced.

The City is investing $570,700 in this current round of the playground renewal program. Playgrounds are classified in accordance with their size, level of accessibility and choice of play and recreational activities.

The budget for upgrades and the level of supporting infrastructure and service is determined by each playground’s classification. A local playground is the smallest play space located close to homes, offering multi-activity play equipment including swings, slides and climbing elements. The developments are in line with the City’s Play Strategy ensuring children have somewhere to run, swing, slide and climb.

July 2023 Update:

• Playground renewal works to commence mid-August.
• Playground signage has been installed.
• Park benches and picnic tables where required are currently being installed.

OVERVIEW

As part of the City's annual playground renewal program, and in line with the City's Play Strategy, we are renewing eight Local playgrounds and one District playground across the municipality.

The renewal program will make sure each of the following playgrounds has somewhere for visitors to run, swing, slide and climb, as well as an update of the existing play equipment:

• Breamlea Recreational Reserve - District Playground
• Malbec Loop Reserve - Local Playground
• Malcolm Reserve - Local Playground
• Francis Reserve - Local Playground
• Moolap Reserve - Local Playground
• Gwyther Reserve - Local Playground
• Lubeck Reserve - Local Playground
• Pevensey Park - (fort replacement only)
• Barwon Valley Fun Park - (climbing sphere replacement only)

We would love to hear your thoughts on the proposed plans for the playground(s) you and your family visit. Please view the proposed playground design for the eight Local playgrounds and one District playground below and provide your feedback by completing a short survey. Surveys close on 12 March 2023.

ABOUT OUR PLAYSPACES

• There are currently over 380 public play spaces managed and maintained by the City of Greater Geelong and an additional 62 supervised early childhood centre-based play spaces.
• All City playgrounds are monitored regularly to ensure that they are free from defects and meet current Australian standards.
• Playgrounds are on a monitored playground upgrade schedule that is reassessed annually.
• Local play spaces are accessible to neighbouring residents via foot or bicycle and are key community assets where physical activity can occur (both part of the journey and the destination), without having to pay fees, join a team or rely on a certain number of players to participate.
• District play spaces are usually located within 15 minutes by bicycle from home. They offer a wider range of play opportunities than local parks and larger spaces usually adjoining sporting reserves with a wider range of equipment.
• Play spaces provide challenges and stimulating environments to allow users to explore their boundaries, provide opportunities for exploration, discovery and learning, and will encourage users to make decisions for themselves and have control of their play.

PLAYGROUND HIERARCHY

Play spaces can be categorized into a hierarchy of five different tiers, depending on its purpose, size, catchment and the opportunities available. The hierarchy is as follows:

• Local – smallest play space, located close to homes, providing a smaller range of play opportunities and amenities, with a catchment of 400m.
  • although activities are offered they are not as extensive as those offered in district and regional play spaces;
  • have open space for informal games;
  • offer multi-activity play equipment including swings, slides and climbing elements.
• District - provide a wider range of play opportunities than local play spaces and cover a greater catchment area (up to 2 km). They are strategically located within larger reserves or sporting reserves and cater for a range of age groups.
  • have open space for informal games;
  • provide some all-abilities play elements;
  • have amenities such as toilets and shelters.
• Sub-regional – a medium sized play space, providing a range of play opportunities and amenities; these Play Spaces will draw from a 5-10km radius. They will cater for all ages and abilities and be built as part of a larger open space or multi-use centre.
• Regional – largest play space, providing a broad range of play opportunities and amenities, with a catchment of 10km or more.
• State / National – play space of state or national significance, usually part of a precinct.

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WHAT DO WE MEAN BY PLAYGROUND RENEWAL?

When we are renewing our playgrounds we will make sure there is:

• somewhere to run;
• somewhere to swing;
• somewhere to slide; and
• somewhere to climb.

The current playground equipment will be replaced with new equipment, a seat will be installed and trees planted for shade. The surface around the play equipment will remain as soft fall (playground safe tan bark).

This renewal does not include fixed shade structures, water play, an increase in playground size or change of playground hierarchy (i.e. this playground will remain a Local playground).

The personal information requested on this page is being collected by City of Greater Geelong for the purpose of the Playground Renewal Project or any other directly related purpose. If the personal information is not collected, we may not be able to contact you for further questions or solutions. Your personal information will only be disclosed to carry out a deeper analysis of the data* or as required to do so by law. Our privacy policy is available on our website. If you wish to alter any of the personal information you have supplied to City of Greater Geelong, please contact us by sending an email to privacy@geelongcity.vic.gov.au.