Case Studies
Ballarat Inclusive Playspace
Design Feature
Type of project
Playground
State
Victoria
Location
Regional
The Inclusive Playspace in Victoria Park, Ballarat was initiated by the community in partnership with the City of Ballarat, and opened in 2016. The aim of the playspace was to create an accessible and inclusive environment where all children and adults could play, regardless of their ability. The Inclusive Playspace has become a social hub for the community, where families can come together to play, interact and have fun. The playspace was formally recognised with a 2017 LGPro Award for Excellence.
Inclusivity for all
The concept for an Inclusive Playspace was initiated by the community in 2012; which was then lobbied and driven through the City of Ballarat’s Disability Advisory Committee. To implement the project, significant community consultation took place via a community volunteers group, which was appointed to work with Council. In 2014 and 2015, funding was received from various businesses, organisations, schools, families and individuals. An area of approximately ten thousand square meters was transformed into an Inclusive Playspace, featuring an environment of accessible play facilities and amenities, such as an adult changing place, seating, tables and raised garden beds.
The public open space has been created with the additional benefit and reassurance of being enclosed in a fenced space, yet was designed in a way that provides the feeling of freedom and space. The project has exceeded the community’s expectation, with over 170,000 people through the gate during the 2016/2017 financial year.
The project is a destination that has generated a sense of place by responding to the local community’s needs. The space acts as a focal point that promotes active living and social connection, and subsequently supports community wellbeing.
Project team
- The City of Ballarat
- The City's Disability Advisory Committee
- Community Volunteers group
- Touched by Olivia Foundation
Project Cost
$1.462 Million
Health value
- The Playspace offers health value via opportunities for individuals of all ages and abilities to engage in physical activity.
- The community facility additionally provides opportunities for social connection and community interaction.
Economic value
- Families, school groups and other organisations come from outside of Ballarat to visit the Inclusive Playspace. This visitation assists in stimulating the local economy, as many of these people visit other attractions in the City.
Environmental Value
- The Inclusive Playspace has large lawn areas, rocks to sit on and environmental instillations such as a water play area and raised garden beds that encourage participation and interaction.
Social value
- The Inclusive Playspace offers significant social value as it provides an opportunity for children with different abilities to play alongside each other in a safe environment, whilst learning important life skills and developing independence and resilience.
- It’s a space where children can play with their friends outside of school, meet new peers and play fun and imaginary games that they might not be able to play in other environments.
- The Playspace also acts as a destination for adults to meet and socialise, with many groups meeting for lunch or picnics.
Use value
- The Inclusive Playspace offers use value to the community. In addition to a play facility, it is a common site to see groups having picnics and parties on the lawn areas or tables.
- The Inclusive Play-space is also very well patronised. A gate counter was installed late 2016, which estimated that an average of 600 people visited the Playspace per day during summer and autumn.
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