Accessible and inclusive playgrounds
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Play is so important for children that the United Nations recognise it as a human right. But for kids with disabilities, accessible and inclusive playgrounds have not always been available. However, that is changing thanks to organisations like Touched by Olivia, Variety and Play For All and guidelines like NSW’s Everyone Can Play policy.
Today, there is a growing list of accessible and inclusive playgrounds around the country. From sensory experiences to accessible water features, these playgrounds can cater to children with a range of disabilities. Read on to learn where your nearest accessible and inclusive playground is.
New South Wales
Livvi’s Place Westport Park, Park Street, Port Macquarie.
Ph: (02) 6581 8111
A wonderful example of an inclusive playground, Westport Park features a treehouse, carousel and a water play zone. Catering for children with autism, physical disabilities and visual impairments, Westport provides a range of sensory and tactile experiences.
- Livvi’s Place Merimbula, Ford Oval, Merimbula
- Livvi’s Place Jindabyne, Banjo Patterson Park, Kosciusko Road, Jindabyne
- Stockland Green Hills Shopping Centre 1 Molly Morgan Drive, East Maitland. Ph: (02) 4933 2799
- Livvi’s Place Wagga, Bolton Park, Wagga Wagga
- Livvi’s Place Mollymook, Mollymook
- Variety Livvi’s Place Taree – Opening soon
- Livvi’s Place Dubbo, Lot 2, Talbragar Street, Dubbo
- Livvi’s Place Jordan Springs, Jordan Springs
- Stockland Forster Shopping Centre, Breese Parade, Forster. Ph: (02) 6554 5044
- Livvi’s Place Elara, Marsden Park
- Livvi’s Place The Hills, Kellyville. Ph: 0433 473 537
- Stockland Wetherill Park Shopping Centre, 561-583 Polding Street, Wetherill Park. Ph: (02) 9609 7766
- Livvi’s Place Parramatta, Ollie Webb Reserve, 37A Glebe Street, Parramatta. Ph: (02) 9806 5050
- Livvi’s Place Ryde, 194 Quarry Road, Ryde. Ph: 0414 506 606
- Livvi’s Place Five Dock, 19 Henley Marine Drive, Five Dock. Ph: (02) 9911 6555
- Variety Livvi’s Place Bankstown, Ross Street, Bankstown. Ph: (02) 9819 1000
ACT
Boundless Playground, Kings Park, Wendouree Drive, Parkes.
Ph: (02) 6207 1075
Victoria
Brimbank Playspace, Keilor East
Only thirty minutes north of the CBD, Melbourne’s Brimbank Playspace features swings for children with physical disabilities, an accessible water fountain and a tactile maze.
- Livvi’s Place Ballarat, Oak Avenue, Newington
- Alice’s Playspace, Errington Reserve, St Albans. Ph: 0414 506 606
- Stockland Point Cook Shopping Centre, Murnong Street, Point Cook. Ph: (03) 9395 4722
- Livvi’s Place Casey, Boland Drive, Lyndhurst
Queensland
Pioneer Park, Landsborough
On the sunny Sunshine Coast, the Pioneer Park features a harnessed flying fox alongside an herb garden and textured greenery.
- Livvi’s Place Brisbane, Hawthorne Park, 100 Riding Road, Hawthorne
- Livvi’s Place, Stockland Rockhampton, 120-331 Yaamba Road, Park Avenue. Ph: (07) 4928 9166
- Livvi’s Place Elliot Springs, Elliot Springs, 28 Vista Place, Julago. Ph: 1800 881 091
South Australia
Hendrie Street Reserve Inclusive Playground, Park Holme.
Ph: (08) 8375 6600
The Hendrie Street playground was the first all abilities playground in South Australia. It features accessible slides and a carousel as well as sensory spaces designed for children with vision or hearing impairments.
Western Australia
Sienna Wood Shipwreck Park, Hilbert.
Ph: 0414 186 890
Shipwreck Park, only 40 minutes for the Perth CBD, features a harnessed flying fox, ramp access for most of the equipment, a soft fall trampoline, sensory water play area and a musical play area.
- Livvi’s Place Playground Whitman Edge, Mayfield Drive, Brabham
Tasmania
Dru Point Playground, Margate
Only a 20-minute drive from Hobart, the Dru Point playground uses hedges to break the park up tino smaller spaces, helping to make it less overwhelming. The playground also offers a sensory play space and ramp access.
Do you have an experience with an accessible and inclusive playground that you’d like to share? We’d love to hear from you!
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