Ceremony marks the creation of first children’s wild play garden in NSW

Works on NSW’s highly anticipated and newest nature play experience for children, The Ian Potter Children’s Wild Play Garden, have commenced in Sydney’s Centennial Park.

After three years of dedicated planning and fundraising the $3.7 million project is now underway and expected to be open in early 2017.

Commenting on the initiative, Kim Ellis, Executive Director of the Botanic Gardens & Centennial Parklands explained “Centennial Parklands has become a true leader in the nature play movement in Australia. The vision to create a safe, unique space in Centennial Park for children to explore, learn and connect with the natural environment has been met with overwhelming support by the community.

“The importance of this garden extends far beyond a place for children to play outdoors in a Park. This purpose-built, state-of-the-art facility will provide children opportunities to reconnect with nature at a time when many have rapidly decreasing access to nature and the outdoors.

“The Wild Play Garden will not be just another playground or picnic area – this will be a purpose-built, state-of-the-art facility aimed at providing children opportunities to reconnect with nature at a time when many have rapidly decreasing access to nature and the outdoors.

“As with any project of this scale, safety is the key, and we have delivered a project plan that will integrate this new attraction safely into what is one of Australia’s best loved public parks.”

The Ian Potter Children's Wild Play Garden will provide an outdoor learning experience for children aged two to 12 years, of all abilities and backgrounds, enabling a 'whole-of-life' approach to education. Located adjacent to the existing Education Precinct off Dickens Drive in Centennial Park, the Garden will consist of dedicated natural spaces including Artesian water play, creek beds, bamboo forests and outdoor classrooms, all designed to inspire and encourage children to engage in exciting, creative and imaginative outdoor 'wild play'.

This $3.7 million project has received valuable funding support from The Ian Potter Foundation, whose incredible support of $1.5 million has enabled the project to progress from dream to reality.

Construction works will eight months with an expected opening in March 2017.  

Image: NSW Environment Minister Mark Speakman joins Kim Ellis, The Ian Potter Foundation, major donors and Ambassadors Michael ‘Wippa’ and Lisa Wipfli with sons Ted and Jack at a Breaking Ground ceremony in Centennial Park to officially mark the start of construction.

28th July 2016 - MORE VISITORS TO NSW’S BOTANIC GARDENS THAN EVER BEFORE

23rd July 2016 - NEW MASTERPLAN FOR SYDNEY’S MOORE PARK COMMITS TO PRESERVING GREEN SPACE

19th June 2014 - $1.5 MILLION GRANT TO FUND SYDNEY’S FIRST CHILDREN’S WILD PLAY GARDEN IN CENTENNIAL PARK

20th December 2011 - ‘WILD PLAY’ MOVEMENT COMES TO CENTENNIAL PARKLANDS THIS SUMMER