ODS Exemplary Showcase 1

Page 36

PROJECT PROFILE

AT PLAY IN THE TREES Reflecting a forest-like structure, the playscape at Ringwood Lake Park offers exciting play elements from the ground up

H

eeding the call from Maroondah City Council, Omnitech Playgrounds, in collaboration with Playce Landscapes and Open Playscapes, played an integral role in creating a contemporary playspace in Ringwood Lake Park, which sits on the banks of an attractive waterway in Ringwood, Victoria. Set across a sprawling 8.5 hectares of land that incorporates various recreation spaces, such as a sound shell, picnic shelters, barbecue amenities and a 1.1-kilometre-long walking circuit, Ringwood Lake Park offers the region an attractive public greenspace with many all-access elements that create an inclusive recreation environment. Recognising the need to provide the local community with a regional play area that caters to children of all ages and abilities, Maroondah City Council contracted a team to upgrade the existing playground in the park. Omnitech, experts in bringing playscapes to life, was responsible for the design, manufacture and installation of the centrepiece of the park, a custom, spotted gum timber play tower manufactured in Australia. Soaring above the space, the all-access play tower mimics the organic structure of a rainforest, presenting different levels of play that allow children to explore at a height comfortable for their age and physical ability.

36 | ODS Exemplary Showcase

Custom designed for the project, the play structure comprises a “forest floor” with underdeck play activities, such as a giant abacus, that encourage exploration and the discovery of hidden treasures. Canopy play is achieved high up in the treetops and offers bridges that span the length of the structure, plenty of slides at varying heights and climbing challenges, along with a handy ramp for easy access. Finally, the emergent layer features a fun “crow’s nest” for those that like a bird’s-eye view — with the best part being the stainless steel tube slide that shoots players down to the ground, ready to begin the climb to the top all over again. With a network of play trails that weave through the trees, the playscape is well linked to provide ample play opportunities from the ground to the treetops. Play elements from track glides and rope courses to balance platforms and cubbies encourage creative play for natural explorers of all ages and abilities, allowing them to engage side-by-side at a level that suits them. Animal sculptures scattered about the space fuel the imagination and enhance the enchanted forest theme of the park, and a stone dry-creek facilitates water and sand activities. With a budget of $100,000, paid for from Council’s Capital Works budget and the Victorian Government’s Community Sports Infrastructure fund, this expansive project

PROJECT PARTICULARS Client Maroondah City Council Location Ringwood, Victoria Landscape Architect Playce Pty Ltd Head Contractor Open Playscapes Play Equipment Supply & Install Omnitech Playgrounds

COMPANY Omnitech Playgrounds P 1800 812 027 E info@omnitech.com.au W omnitech.com.au


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CITIES ALIVE: RETHINKING GREEN INFRASTRUCTURE

23min
pages 108-116

REVIEWING URBAN DESIGN

5min
pages 106-107

THE FORUM IN FINE FORM

3min
pages 104-105

WEST END WINNER

2min
pages 102-103

A GOLDEN OPPORTUNITY

3min
pages 100-101

KEEPIN’ IT UNDER COVER

3min
pages 94-95

ADELAIDE TAKES ON GOLIATH

3min
pages 98-99

REGIONAL SPORTS COVERED

3min
pages 92-93

INCLUSIVE FUN FOR ALL

3min
pages 88-89

EROSION CONTROL MADE EASY

1min
page 97

SMART SOLAR PLACEMAKING

3min
pages 86-87

RIDING HIGH

3min
pages 82-83

BEAUTY BEYOND REFLECTION

2min
pages 84-85

A TALE OF TWO CITIES

3min
pages 76-77

GIMME SHELTER

2min
pages 80-81

PLANNING AHEAD: A CAUTIONARY TALE

3min
page 74

ALL ABOARD

3min
pages 78-79

GREEN & GROWING

3min
pages 72-73

CALL OF THE WILD

2min
page 71

BESPOKE ABOVE & BELOW

3min
pages 68-69

AN ENRICHING PLAY EXPERIENCE

2min
page 70

HYDRATION ON THE MOVE

3min
pages 60-61

WORKIN’ ON THE RAILS

4min
pages 64-67

A TRADITION OF EXCELLENCE

3min
pages 62-63

SCULPTURAL CREATIONS WITH A NATURAL LEANING

3min
pages 56-57

TROPICAL PLAY

3min
pages 58-59

THE PLANTING TERRACE & EXPERIENCE PAVILION

3min
pages 54-55

STORMWATER CRISIS

2min
page 53

A LANDMARK LANDSCAPE

2min
page 52

AROUND THE BEND

2min
pages 50-51

NATURAL IS BEST

3min
pages 42-43

PLAYSCAPE WITH A VIEW

2min
pages 48-49

THE VERTICAL VILLAGE

2min
pages 38-39

FURNITURE WITH A PURPOSE

2min
pages 40-41

AT PLAY IN THE TREES

3min
pages 36-37

BETWEEN LAND & SEA

3min
pages 32-33

FAUNA-FRIENDLY FURNITURE

2min
pages 34-35

HIGH & DRY

3min
pages 30-31

REMAKING HISTORY

2min
pages 14-15

A COLOURFUL COMMUNITY

4min
pages 24-25

THE GOODWILL BRIDGE

2min
pages 20-21

BRONZED & BEAUTIFUL

2min
pages 22-23

HIGH ON A HILL

3min
pages 18-19

PLAYTIME 3

3min
pages 12-13

SAILING INTO PLAY

4min
pages 26-29

THRIVING IN THE GREAT OUTDOORS

1min
pages 16-17
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