Fremantle’s Walyalup Koort playground inspired by industrial and maritime heritage

Fremantle’s colourful new Walyalup Koort playground will officially open on Friday with the playground having been inspired by Fremantle’s industrial and maritime heritage and including features such as cranes, bridges, railway tracks and shipping containers, as well as natural elements like water and trees.

Designed by WA-based landscape architecture firm Seedesign Studios, the playground was partly funded through a $342,000 grant from Lotterywest.

The new Walyalup Koort playground has zones which will appeal to a broad age range from toddlers to primary school children, as well as being accessible for children with disabilities.

Programmable lighting elements highlight the playground at night, creating a new look and feel after dark and making it a feature of the broader public space.

Special guests at the official opening will be students from local Fremantle schools. Around 170 children from the same schools were engaged at the start of the design process to give their thoughts on what they would like included.

Fremantle Mayor Hannah Fitzhardinge said the playground was a critical part of the plan to revitalise the heart of Fremantle and advised “the whole point of the Walyalup Koort renewal project was to transform what had become a dead spot in the heart of town into a vibrant and attractive space full of life, colour and movement.

“The playground is really important because it will attract children and families into the space, and nothing lightens the atmosphere of a place more than the sight and sound of children playing and having fun.

“It will be wonderful to have the school children at the official opening on Friday because right from the start the kids have played a vital role in the creation of the playground.

“While we weren’t able to include some of their suggestions, like a tree-top dance floor or giant flying foxes, most of feedback from the kids was taken on board and incorporated into the final design.

“The end result is a brilliant new place in the heart of Fremantle where families can come and have fun together.”

The playground is part of the $270 million Walyalup Koort renewal project undertaken by the City of Fremantle in partnership with Sirona.

For more information please visit walyalupkoort.com.