Playspace design awards recognise 'great places to play'

Coinciding with National Kidsafe Day, the winners of the Kidsafe 2010 National Playspace Design Awards have been announced.

The Awards recognise excellence and innovation in the provision of safe, creative playspaces across Australia, showcasing current playspace design and aiming to promote inspirational, innovative play facilities and encourage healthy participation in recreational activities for children.

As Kidsafe explains “creative, safe playspaces are a must for today’s ‘screen-focussed’ children to get them outside and playing in the dirt. Playspace design is no longer focussed on selecting equipment from a catalogue. It seeks to integrate the natural environment, educational opportunities, children’s input and community and/or cultural aspects.

“If you are a child wanting to stretch your muscles and challenge your boundaries; or if you are young at heart visit these brilliant, award winning playspaces.

“(They offer) long, long slides, giant swings, climbing rocks and boulders to jump off are some of the features of the winning playspaces. 

“Alternately, take a spin on the merry-go-round; admire incredible artwork; hide in the tee pees; or dodge the water jets.

“Find yourself in the labyrinths; walk with the dinosaurs; and challenge your physical skills and nerve on the net climbing structures.”

The winners and those receiving a commendation were selected from over fifty excellent entries received from across Australia. They are divided into categories based on the type of children’s activities and their size. The winners are:

Children’s Services:
Winner - Safe and Challenging Playground, Battery Point Child Centre, Lady Gowrie Tasmania
Highly Commended - St George Bank Child Care Centre Landscape Works, Sydney Organic Gardens Pty Ltd

Public Playspaces - District Parks:
Winner - Pirrama Park, Pyrmont (Aspect Studios in collaboration with Fiona Robbé Landscape Architects)
Highly Commended - Brelsford Park, Coffs Harbour (Geolink Landscape Architects, Fiona Robbé Landscape Architects and Coffs Harbour City Council)

Public Playspaces - Regional Parks:
Winner - Safari Park, Western Plains Zoo (Spackman Mossop Michaels)
Highly Commended Bathurst Adventure Park, Bathurst City Council
Highly Commended - All Abilities Playground, Riverway, Townsville City Council

Public Playspaces - Urban Precincts:
Winner - ‘The Backyard’, Rouse Hill Town Centre (Oculus Landscape Architecture Urban Design Pty Ltd)

Innovative Design Elements:
Winner - Orphan School Creek Playground - Sandpit and Cover (Fiona Robbé Landscape Architects with Phillips Marler Architects/Landscape Architects)
Highly Commended - Dharawal Dreaming - Traditional Artwork, The Point Preschool Oyster Bay.

For more information go to www.kidsafensw.org/playsafety/design_awards.htm

4th August 2010 - KIDSAFE LAUNCHES NATIONAL PLAYSPACE DESIGN AWARDS