New nature play space opens in South Australia's Glenthorne National Park

A multi-million dollar nature play space, forming part of South Australia’s newest national park, Glenthorne - Ityamaiitpinna Yarta has opened to the public.

Situated 16km south of Adelaide in O’Halloran Hill, the nature play space was built by one of Adelaide’s premiere playground developers, Climbing Tree. At 7000 square metres, this playground is one of the biggest nature play spaces in the state.

Climbing Tree is a South Australian based Nature Play design, construction and events company dedicated to providing opportunities for children to explore, create and reconnect with nature.

The adventure play space features three slides, a seesaw, spinner, fossil dig area, Kaurna carvings and sculptures. Also included are rope and log climbing features, a pendulum swing, cubby building, a 25m long flying fox and a wide range of accessible equipment to ensure children of all abilities can enjoy the space.

The adventure playground is surrounded by a purpose-built visitor hub that includes shelters, BBQs, toilets, picnic areas, carparks and heritage buildings.

Families and other visitors can explore the wider park on foot or bike using the trails that extend out from the visitor hub. The trails feature interpretive signs and an interactive app, which explores the Aboriginal and European history of the park, as well as its environmental restoration and activities for children.

The South Australian Government contributed $13.9 million towards the project including providing the land and funding for the main building works. The City of Marion contributed $2.2 million and the Commonwealth a further $0.85 million through the Adelaide City Deal.

The $698.6 million Adelaide City Deal is helping to create an innovative and vibrant city by growing the innovation economy, supporting population growth across South Australia and boosting Adelaide’s cultural and tourism economy.

Kris Hanna, Mayor, City of Marion noted “as a former president of Friends of Glenthorne and long-time campaigner for open space in this area, I am delighted that this much-anticipated adventure playground is now open to the community.

“It is highly unusual for a council to contribute $2.2 million for recreational facilities on state government land, but it shows how different levels of government can collaborate to achieve a great outcome for the community.

“We are also pleased to contribute financially towards a disability access toilet at Glenthorne in the coming financial year.”

Mike Williams, Executive Director National Parks and Wildlife Service added “the adventure playground and visitor hub were an important part of the community’s vision for Glenthorne National Park-Ityamaiitpinna Yarta.

“The Department for Environment and Water has collaborated closely with representatives from the Kaurna community to develop some of the new attractions, including an interactive “Footprints of the Past” trail.”