All Abilities playground for Gympie takes shape

Play time in Gympie’s Lake Alford Park is set to become more colourful and exciting for children of all abilities, with today’s release of final design plans for an onsite playground.

Disability Services Minister Annastacia Palaszczuk said the plans featured a series of activity-based play zones connected by wide pathways, which will also play host to a vibrant collection of community-made mosaics.

“This innovative new play space aims to break down barriers for children with a disability and their families,’’ Ms Palaszczuk said.

“The project is the latest of 16 to be designed and signed-off as part of the Queensland Government’s All Abilities Playground Project – enabling participation in play.

“It’s an exciting time for the local community, which has already played a very hands-on role in the creation this family recreational space.

“This highly creative, new all abilities playground will provide a whole new world of play and social opportunities to children with and without a disability.

“Families and carers will benefit too, with increased opportunities to socialise and network with others.”

Ms Palaszczuk said that as part of the project, the Department of Communities (Disability Services) had allocated $4.6 million to 16 local council projects across the state.

This included $348,400 to plan, design and construct the all abilities play space at Lake Alford Park, with Gympie Regional Council committing $385,000.

The project will also benefit from two other State Government grants – a $50,000 art+place public art fund grant and $107,200 in Rural and Living Infrastructure Program funding. Council is also seeking sponsorship locally.

Mayor of Gympie Regional Council, Councillor Ron Dyne, said design plans would be on display at the Gympie Regional Library in Mellor Street and via council’s website.

“The playground’s design offers children a full range of play experiences, from exploring the natural world in a community sensory garden to burning physical energy on one of two flying foxes or adventure climbing nets,” Cr Dyne said.

“There’s also play zones dedicated to activities like sand and water play, performance and role play, swinging, sliding and much more.”

With more than five tonnes of clay tiles already made by 23 local community and school groups, mosaic public artworks are another prominent feature of the design.

Other playground features include a new accessible toilet block, a kickabout area, chill-out zone, informal seating, shade sails, perimeter fencing, disabled car parking bays and rubberised softfall surfacing.

The Queensland All Abilities Playground Project is based on the award-winning Pioneer Park, located at Landsborough on the Sunshine Coast, and forms part of the government’s Best Start – Supporting Families in the Early Years initiative.

Gympie Regional Council, which will be managing the construction of the playground, has already completed early site preparation and carpark works. Work on the playground is expected to start from August and is expected to wrap-up later in the year.

To view final design plans and to learn more about the Lake Alford All Abilities Playground, contact council on 5481 0800 or go to council’s website, located at www.gympie.qld.gov.au

Queensland’s new all abilities playgrounds support the State Government’s Toward Q2: Tomorrow’s Queensland ambition of supporting safe and caring communities.

For more information about the Statewide initiative, visit www.disability.qld.gov.au/community/all-abilities-playground/

Media Contact: Minister Palaszczuk’s office 3237 1944/3227 6164

Gympie Regional Council

PR Officer - Lynne Wilbraham 0427 611 181