Case Studies
Clarence Destination Playgrounds
Design Feature
Type of project
Playground
State
Tasmania
Location
Urban
Clarence destination playgrounds are ‘regional scale’ (large scale) playgrounds in the City of Clarence municipality (part of Greater Hobart), that have activated public parks and open spaces linked together by the Clarence Foreshore Trail.
Destination playgrounds on the Foreshore Trail
The playgrounds are strategically positioned along the route of the trail, maximising accessibility by active travel. They highlight best practice in delivery of several design features of Healthy Active by Design, notably Destinations, Community Facilities and Public Open Space.
Individually, the trail and playgrounds are valuable pieces of community infrastructure. Collectively, their strength is magnified, the trail providing a continuous movement network for active travel, walking and cycling between multiple destinations.
Individually, the trail and playgrounds are valuable pieces of community infrastructure. Collectively, their strength is magnified, the trail providing a continuous movement network for active travel, walking and cycling between multiple destinations.
Two principal community facilities positioned along the Clarence Foreshore Trail are the playgrounds at Simmons Park, in Lindisfarne Bay, and its sister at Bellerive Beach. Both are examples of strategic investment by Clarence City Council in ‘regional/destination playgrounds’ that offer all-abilities access, barbecue facilities and plenty of exciting play equipment. Destination playgrounds cater for local residents and also act as destinations for visitors from further afield, both within the Clarence authority area and the greater Hobart region.
## Simmons Park, Lindisfarne
Simmons Park playground represents a shift in thinking towards the provision and design of play spaces by Clarence City Council. The playground demonstrates many firsts for Clarence, including being the municipality’s first ‘regional scale’ play and picnic space, and the first time that universal access and nature-based design features have been prioritised in a play space design.
The park is located on the edge of Lindisfarne Bay, with sweeping views across the River Derwent to kunanyi/Mt Wellington. Historically, it has been severely underused as a public asset. In 2014 Council committed funding to upgrading the outdated play facilities and showed leadership in setting an agenda for the design of a regionally significant, all-ages, accessible and unique play space experience. The appointment of an in-house landscape architect also allowed Council to break away from its past links with play equipment suppliers and engineers who delivered often rudimentary play space designs.
Simmons Park is a popular destination for the local community. The children’s playground – defined by its tall slide and climbing frame that creates a distinctive local landmark (‘big slide park’ to local children) – is the centerpiece, but the park offers many more opportunities for activity for people of all ages and abilities:
Simmons Park is a destination and community facility that has a great sense of place, set in the heart of a residential community. It is a place to meet and a place to enjoy the spectacular scenery. It is a popular destination for large school groups and the host of many weekend birthday parties. The Foreshore Trail defines the waterside edge of the park and provides connections to the wider community as it links residential areas to parks, other play areas, shops and schools.
Simmons Park has set the benchmark in Clarence for the design and provision of accessible play spaces. It has lifted community expectations for the development of accessible public open space and has internally adjusted Council’s attitudes towards the types of play opportunities that it can and should provide. It is an example of positive community outcomes that can be delivered through a well-designed play space. With a modest budget, simple design interventions and a prioritisation of unique play opportunities and universal access, Council has delivered a project that will continue to positively influence the community for many years to come.
Simmons Park playground represents a shift in thinking towards the provision and design of play spaces by Clarence City Council. The playground demonstrates many firsts for Clarence, including being the municipality’s first ‘regional scale’ play and picnic space, and the first time that universal access and nature-based design features have been prioritised in a play space design.
The park is located on the edge of Lindisfarne Bay, with sweeping views across the River Derwent to kunanyi/Mt Wellington. Historically, it has been severely underused as a public asset. In 2014 Council committed funding to upgrading the outdated play facilities and showed leadership in setting an agenda for the design of a regionally significant, all-ages, accessible and unique play space experience. The appointment of an in-house landscape architect also allowed Council to break away from its past links with play equipment suppliers and engineers who delivered often rudimentary play space designs.
Simmons Park is a popular destination for the local community. The children’s playground – defined by its tall slide and climbing frame that creates a distinctive local landmark (‘big slide park’ to local children) – is the centerpiece, but the park offers many more opportunities for activity for people of all ages and abilities:
- a range of outdoor fitness equipment set across three stations between the Foreshore Trail and the playground
- areas of level grassed open space, ideal for informal recreation surrounding the playground
- barbecue facilities, picnic benches and seating, with overhead covers that provide shading and shelter from the elements
- water fountain and public toilets
- cycle parking stands – valuable supporting infrastructure given the park’s location on the foreshore trail that is popular with bike riders
- amphitheatre with stage and tiered seating – this most recent addition to the park has proven to be very popular, with community events including carols in the park.
Simmons Park is a destination and community facility that has a great sense of place, set in the heart of a residential community. It is a place to meet and a place to enjoy the spectacular scenery. It is a popular destination for large school groups and the host of many weekend birthday parties. The Foreshore Trail defines the waterside edge of the park and provides connections to the wider community as it links residential areas to parks, other play areas, shops and schools.
Simmons Park has set the benchmark in Clarence for the design and provision of accessible play spaces. It has lifted community expectations for the development of accessible public open space and has internally adjusted Council’s attitudes towards the types of play opportunities that it can and should provide. It is an example of positive community outcomes that can be delivered through a well-designed play space. With a modest budget, simple design interventions and a prioritisation of unique play opportunities and universal access, Council has delivered a project that will continue to positively influence the community for many years to come.
## Bellerive Beach Park
Completed in July 2017, Bellerive Beach Park All Abilities Playground demonstrates a commitment by Clarence City Council to providing an accessible, innovative and engaging play facility for the enjoyment of people of all ages and abilities. It includes giant climbing towers, slides, swings, nature and water-based play facilities. The playground is one of the many improvements to Bellerive Beach park, which also includes new exercise equipment, picnic and barbecue facilities, car parking, furniture, landscaping, accessible footpaths and lighting.1 This range of community facilities creates great opportunity for people of all ages and abilities to engage in physical activity for improved health and wellbeing.
The next and final stages will include a beachfront promenade and a smaller playground and picnic space at the Beach Street end of the park. These works will include an improved foreshore path and universal access to the beach. There will also be more sheltered barbecue and picnic facilities, public art, and an upgrade of the existing toilets to ensure they are accessible.1
The Bellerive Beach Park All Abilities Playground project represents a new approach by Clarence City Council in developing a design for a public play space. The intent was to integrate inclusive design subtly and invisibly, so the resulting space and its supporting infrastructure were inherently accessible to all users including those with a disability. Detailed consideration was given to the route from the carpark, neighbouring footpaths and bus bays into the playground and aimed to remove the barriers that currently prevent access for some. All aspects of a visit including access to various seating options, shade, drinking water and fully accessible paths of travel between play elements and park facilities were considered.1
Playground equipment items were selected for their inherent inclusiveness and to invite children of all abilities and ages to play together. Key items such as a custom-designed sand play table that accommodates wheelchairs, an accessible carousel, a musical bridge activated by feet or wheels, and ramped access to a wide slide with transfer access are a first for Clarence and have been widely well received. Simple interventions such as selective use of rubber softfall on pathways, ample circulation space around key play features, and play elements that are accessible from a seated position may go unnoticed by many users but are transformative for children, parents or carers living with a disability.1
Completed in July 2017, Bellerive Beach Park All Abilities Playground demonstrates a commitment by Clarence City Council to providing an accessible, innovative and engaging play facility for the enjoyment of people of all ages and abilities. It includes giant climbing towers, slides, swings, nature and water-based play facilities. The playground is one of the many improvements to Bellerive Beach park, which also includes new exercise equipment, picnic and barbecue facilities, car parking, furniture, landscaping, accessible footpaths and lighting.1 This range of community facilities creates great opportunity for people of all ages and abilities to engage in physical activity for improved health and wellbeing.
The next and final stages will include a beachfront promenade and a smaller playground and picnic space at the Beach Street end of the park. These works will include an improved foreshore path and universal access to the beach. There will also be more sheltered barbecue and picnic facilities, public art, and an upgrade of the existing toilets to ensure they are accessible.1
The Bellerive Beach Park All Abilities Playground project represents a new approach by Clarence City Council in developing a design for a public play space. The intent was to integrate inclusive design subtly and invisibly, so the resulting space and its supporting infrastructure were inherently accessible to all users including those with a disability. Detailed consideration was given to the route from the carpark, neighbouring footpaths and bus bays into the playground and aimed to remove the barriers that currently prevent access for some. All aspects of a visit including access to various seating options, shade, drinking water and fully accessible paths of travel between play elements and park facilities were considered.1
Playground equipment items were selected for their inherent inclusiveness and to invite children of all abilities and ages to play together. Key items such as a custom-designed sand play table that accommodates wheelchairs, an accessible carousel, a musical bridge activated by feet or wheels, and ramped access to a wide slide with transfer access are a first for Clarence and have been widely well received. Simple interventions such as selective use of rubber softfall on pathways, ample circulation space around key play features, and play elements that are accessible from a seated position may go unnoticed by many users but are transformative for children, parents or carers living with a disability.1
Project team
Project Team
Simmons Park Playground
- Clarence City Council (Landscape architecture, civil design and project management)
- Mike Lever (Structural Design)
- Specialised Landscaping Services (Construction)
Bellerive Beach Park All Abilities Playground
- Clarence City Council (Landscape architecture and civil design)
- Pitt and Sherry (Structural and hydraulic design)
- Specialised Landscaping Services (Construction)
- Sugden and Gee (Project Management)
Project Cost
- Simmons Park (play space only) - total cost approximately $1 Million (including playground extensions)
- Bellerive Beach Park All Abilities Playground - total cost approximately $1 Million
Project cost
- Simmons Park (play space only) - total cost approximately $1 Million (including playground extensions)
- Bellerive Beach Park All Abilities Playground - total cost approximately $1 Million
Health value
- The parks include facilities for people of all ages and abilities to engage in physical activity. More families can grow, learn and develop over time with the play space.
- Adult fitness equipment, space for ball games and recreation, and direct access to the Foreshore Trail complement the playground.
- These features provide a range of opportunities for physical activity for improved physical health, including heart health.
Economic value
- Clarence City Council has observed how the parks have attracted visitors from further afield. Increased numbers of visitors to parks and playgrounds has potential to add economic value to the surrounding areas as people may also visit other nearby community facilities, shops and services.
Environmental value
- The development of Simmons Park Playground has greatly increased the tree coverage of the park through inclusion of various native canopy trees. The trees not only provide habitat for local birds and fauna but also play a key role in shade provision and fostering a sense of place for the park.
- Both Bellerive Beach and Simmons Park playgrounds focus on the use of endemic native species in the planting designs. These species greatly improve the environmental function of the parks while also passively exposing and educating the community on the beauty and landscape applications for local Tasmanian flora.
Social value
- Although modest in budget and aesthetics, the real value of the both parks has been in areas that are difficult to measure – the transformative effect the design features of the play spaces has had on the local community and the catalyst it has been for changes within Council are significant.
- Universal access influenced design decisions, which were reinforced by Council’s commitment to being a World Health Organisation Global Age Friendly City.
- People of all ages and abilities have been provided with recreational spaces that support their needs, encourage social interactions and promote an active lifestyle.1
Use value
- Both parks consistently attract visitors from beyond the boundaries of Clarence, demonstrating people’s willingness to travel to destinations that are truly inclusive and accessible.
- The accessibility aspects have been particularly well received by the large numbers of nearby elderly residents, who now feel comfortable and welcomed by the facilities of the park.
- The inherent diversity and accessibility features have also proven very popular with large school and family groups as play destinations for local disabilities support schools.1
References
1. Clarence City Council media release, Bellerive Beach Park All Abilities Playground official opening August 2017
2. Simmons Park
3. Bellerive Beach park
4. Street Furniture Australia - All Abilities Playground Bellerive Beach Park
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