Softfall surfaces and shading installations among Darwin playground upgrades

Community consultations and assessments on age and condition informed the upgrades to six neighbourhood playgrounds completed across Darwin’s northern suburbs over the past 16 months which included the installation of softfall surfaces and shading.

A new all-access play space at Jingili Water Gardens in Darwin features an accessible slide, carousel, swings, and climbing net, all on top of a softfall surface of Rosehill TPV® coloured rubber granules installed by the expert team at NT Shade. The playground shade cloth features designs by local artists living with disabilities and reflects the area’s tropical local environment.

Rosehill TPV® offers protection from slips, trips, and falls, making it the perfect surfacing solution for any recreational environment. Combining durability, reliability, and unrivalled UV stability, Rosehill TPV® ensures a high quality, longer lasting surface with colours that remain consistent over time.

Other playgrounds upgraded included those in Nakara, Alawa, Moil, Karama and Parap which also involved demolishing old equipment and replacing with new designs that include artificial shade, rubberised soft fall and new play equipment.

The upgrades were possible due to co-funding from the City of Darwin and the Northern Territory Government, who contributed $182,000 and $460,000 respectively.

Darwin Lord Mayor Kon Vatskalis advised “this is the result of our annual playground revitalisation program from the 2022/23 Municipal Plan, and with contributions from the NT Government, we have been able to create some great new and safe spaces.

“City of Darwin is committed to providing play spaces throughout the city that support healthy and active lifestyles for our residents.”

Temporary fencing has been put up around the completed playgrounds to allow grass to establish. Harwood Park in Nakara will be the first to have temporary fencing taken down, with the others opening over the coming weeks.

NT Chief Minister Natasha Fyles noted “Community infrastructure for Territorians to enjoy is a priority for my Government. This is why we invest in quality builds that support our growing communities.

“Working with the City of Darwin we are able revitalise our open spaces and make they attractive and fun place for families to enjoy.

“These new playgrounds will be opening up around Darwin over the dry season, which will be exciting additions to our northern suburbs.”

More information on NT Shade 

Surface Designs is the sole importer and distributor of Rosehill TPV® rubber wetpour and Rosehill Polyurethanes for Australia and New Zealand.  Rosehill Polymers produce this premium quality, durable, non-allergenic and non-toxic rubber in the UK and Surface Designs’ association with them dates back to 2007.

Image. Jingili Water Gardens in Darwin. Credit: NT Shade