ODS Exemplary Showcase 1

Page 98

furniture, and a brand new inclusive playspace with nature-based play features. “As part of the redevelopment we wanted to make sure everybody could be involved in the space, and the new pathways and barbecue areas and shelters are all situated so that people in wheelchairs, with strollers, or anybody who has trouble with walking could get to them,” explained Jarrad Healey, landscape architect, City of Charles Sturt. A key element of the park upgrade, the new playspace hit the mark with Council’s brief to create a space that would encourage locals from the surrounding suburbs to use the reserve and interact together. Designed and manufactured by play specialists WillPlay, who collaborated closely with Council, the playground is chockfull of standard and customdesigned play structures offering fun things to do for kids of all ages and abilities. A toddler zone features a mini slide, scramble net and treehouse unit, with ground-level play elements including noughts and crosses to keep younger kiddos occupied. A mammoth sand and water-play area celebrates nature and encourages

ADELAIDE

TAKES ON GOLIATH With plans to reinvent and reinvigorate the city, a reserve in Adelaide gets a “giant” upgrade

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uilding for tomorrow “to reinvent and reinvigorate our City”, is the pledge made by City of Charles Sturt as part of its 2025 open space strategy plan. A considered framework aimed at the improvement of open space across Adelaide, Council’s plan focuses on reinventing spaces for its citizens. One success story already on the books

98 | ODS Exemplary Showcase

is MJ McInerney Park, situated in the northwest suburb of West Croydon. A staged upgrade, the $1.6 million project included a new skate and bike zone, picnic areas and shelters, basketball/netball court, new pathways and lighting, as well as upgraded bathroom amenities, improved irrigation, new public artwork and street

kids of all ages to get in and engage with the natural environment. The inclusion of a couple of ride-on sand diggers and a SandWorks play unit makes this zone a particularly hot commodity. “We wanted to create a space that blended well with the existing [space], and get people involved in nature as well, giving sand and water lots of excitement,” Jarrad shared. For the more adventurous players, various styles of swings, including a nest swing, are on offer, as is a double flying fox! But the most impressive feature of all is the giant 7-metre-tall Goliath tower — WillPlay’s highest tower to date. The behemoth structure is an eclectic mix of premium materials, including powdercoated aluminium structural posts, stainless steel framework and Australian-sourced recycled plastics, and boasts two awesome tube slides; one launching from midway and one from the very top (for those who dare!). A rope bridge and climbing nets are enticing extensions jutting off the tower, which also includes a number of ground level activities with play opportunities for all ages. Its custom colour scheme blends into the park environment, while at the same time offering a welcoming appeal. The tower’s vibrant purple accents were chosen to represent the beautiful flowers of the Jacaranda trees that famously flourish in the area. Clearly a neighbourhood favourite, the Kids in Adelaide website declares MJ McInerney Park: “The best new party park in the north west. And it may just make the new TOP 10 in Adelaide, because it’s got LOTS of space and equipment for the whole family!”


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Articles inside

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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