Wollongong’s Stuart Park All Ages All Abilities playground is an all-round winner. Photo: Region Illawarra.
We all have different priorities when it comes to finding a suitable playground for a day out with kids, family and friends.
But when your first priority is an accessible, inclusive playground it can become more difficult to find one that fits the bill.
Play Illawarra, an initiative of Healthy Cities Australia, has taken the hard work out of finding inclusive playgrounds, publishing a list of 10 play places across the region, from north to south.
Play Illawarra says play is important for everyone to get outdoors, to interact with others and use our imagination.
“Inclusive play allows for all children and adults to have opportunities for play, and to be able to play with their peers,” it says.
“This includes children with a range of physical and intellectual abilities, neurodiverse children, neurotypical children and adults who love to play as well.”
However, it’s not just children who benefit from being able to access an inclusive playground.
“If you’re having a day at the playground with grandparents who have vision impairments, a family member who has been temporarily injured and requires a mobility aid, or even parents with prams who need to get around the playground, inclusivity benefits us all, even in ways we might not see,” the organisation says.
“It’s helpful for so many to have wide and reflective walking pathways, rails on inclines and accessible bathrooms.”
Play Illawarra has developed a free, downloadable resource of the region’s top 10 inclusive playgrounds. They are spaces designed so every child can play, from wheelchair-accessible equipment to sensory-friendly features that support families of all abilities.
Here are a few of them, topped by the “award winner”, Wollongong’s Stuart Park All Ages All Abilities playground, which opened in December 2023.
It’s the first playground of its kind in Wollongong and features inclusive play equipment for all abilities and skills, accessible toilets and parking, a wheelchair accessible trampoline and carousel.
It was carefully planned to combine high-energy equipment such as flying foxes, climbing structures and a mouse wheel with sensory and nature-based play zones such as the Paperbark Forest Maze, a tactile garden and water features.
Luke’s Place at Corrimal features a variety of play equipment. Photo: Wollongong City Council.
Luke’s Place Playground at Corrimal Memorial Park was created in honour of Corrimal resident Luke Rapley and was built with the help of the Touched by Olivia Foundation.
It’s fenced, featuring a wheelchair carousel, nest swing, communication boards with Braille, as well as colour coded, textured sections for children with low vision.
Cringila Playground and Community Park has an inclusive trampoline, swings and slides for all abilities, and a wheelchair accessible seesaw. There are five accessible parking spaces, and inclusive amenities and toilets.
One of its more unique features is the giant book of the story of Gudgad the Greedy Frog, with a Braille version also available.
Another relatively new and popular playground is Boongaree Rotary Nature Play Park at Berry. It features water play, nature and sensory play, and is ideal for children who need a little extra sensory input.
It also has an accessible pathway that connects throughout the playground and a wheelchair accessible carousel and a range of swings.
Berry’s Boongaree Playground offers equipment and activities that suit all ages and abilities. Photo: Shoalhaven City Council.
In the Shellharbour area, Reddall Reserve’s Pirate Parade Playground is one for children who prefer quieter, less busy environments.
Play Illawarra advises parents and carers it’s not ideal for wheelchair users or children with physical disabilities, but it is great for children who are neurodiverse or have intellectual disabilities, and their families.
Fully fenced, the playground has water play, logs for stepping and imaginative play, soft fall and a fun pirate boat theme.
Reid Park Playground at Jamberoo has equipment for all abilities and ages including large ramps, concrete pathways, ample seating and full changing places toilets and hoist.
It also features sensory elements such as water play, along with a balance beam and gyro spinner.
