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Media Release - Rotary Park Playground Update

27th July 2021

Rotary Park Inclusive Design

Following a public survey, Council and the community gave a clear goal of creating an inclusive, modern, eye catching agricultural themed playground in Rotary Park Ingham. As a result Council designed the Rotary Park playground to meet a modern standard, with softfall (this means no more sand) and entry access to the entire playground space with other equipment including components that have sensory activity. The Liberty Swing has been replaced by the Bird’s Nest Swing. Liberty Swings were a great initiative of the past, however the playground required a more suitable, innovative and inclusive design. Inside, the playground includes a modern version of the Liberty Swing, which is the more inclusive and less restrictive “Bird’s Nest Swing”, as well as a flush mounted all abilities spinning wheel which wheelchairs can access. Wheelchair compliant table settings were also incorporated throughout the new furniture installed in the entire park.

The Bird’s Nest Swing is a multi person swing, it is round and sinks in like a nest. Bird’s Nest Swings often become the most used piece of equipment of a playground as people of any age and ability can play on the swing. For a child who is not able to sit up on their own, they can lay down on the swing and be pushed by family or friends. For a child that feels insecure in open space, a parent can easily get on the swing with them and hold them while being pushed. For a child with autism who craves a vestibular experience, the Bird’s Nest Swing provides such within a social setting. For a person that uses a wheelchair, it is designed to be positioned to facilitate transfer.

Designed in collaboration with award winning playground designers, Urban Play, the playground features equipment that was custom designed for the project.

The playground was designed using universal design principles, meaning everyone can play together, no matter their ability. Universal design implies an inclusive approach to public planning; that everyone should be able to access and use public services and facilities. An abundance of ground level play opportunities, as well as thrilling elevated level play were incorporated into the design.

Mayor Jayo said ‘The inspiration for the new playground at Rotary Park drew on Ingham’s rich sugarcane history. The playground features play pieces that were custom designed for the Rotary Park Playground, these include a cane train, sugar refinery and green tractor. Other elements include wheelchair carousel, three bay swing, cocowave swing and climbing net.’

From sketch, right through to reality, the designers tried to capture the shape, form size and colours of the cane train and sugar mills to elevate the theme. A bright, visually aesthetic rubber floor design features train tracks, cane and a river, which was inspired by the surrounds of the Hinchinbrook Shire.

‘Ingham’s rich sugarcane history is weaved throughout the playspace design. Working alongside our design team, we wanted to create feature play pieces that were not only inclusive and thrilling, but mimicked Ingham’s sugarcane train and sugar refinery,’ said Nikita Burns, Playspace designer, Urban Play.

‘We are absolutely thrilled to deliver a playground of this calibre for the town of Ingham. Rotary Park will become an invaluable asset for the community drawing residents and families from afar. It will become a buzzing hub, filled with endless climbing, swinging, sliding, running, laughter and play for all,’ said Ms. Burns.

For over 17 years, award winning playground designers, Urban Play has worked with Councils throughout Queensland to create spaces that contribute to happy and healthy communities.

Rotary Park Playground Equipment

Cane Train

  • Designed on the shape form, scale and colour of the Ingham cane train, the multi levelled play structure is over 11m long and tells a tale of history as it takes children on an exciting play journey; and
  • The open design and ground level play activities makes the cane train suitable for a range of ages and abilities.

Sugar Refinery

  • Inspired by the local sugar refineries, this piece is packed full with play inside and out, top to bottom. Artistically designed artwork represents the sugarcane and sugar, elevating the agricultural theme; and
  • The tower provides play for a range of ages with differing slide heights and graded climbing challenges.

Green Tractor

  • Highlighting the sugar process, the bespoke green tractor symbolises the harvest of the sugarcane filled with play elements that encourage social play, cognitive play, creative play and social play.

Wheelchair Carousel

  • A wheelchair carousel provides play opportunities for everyone – regardless of their abilities;
  • Designed and tested at the KOMPAN Play Institute, an institute that has been working with children with disabilities to test and develop equipment and solutions since the early 1990’s; and
  • Ground level design makes the carousel accessible to everyone, with a bench that can be used by parents, carers or those who are less confident or physically agile.

Three Bay Swing

  • A three bay swing with varied swing types provides endless swinging opportunities for people of various ages and abilities;
  • The shallow Birds Nest ‘Swing facilitates easy transfer from a wheelchair or assisted device. The openness and spaciousness of the seat supports varied body positions, seated, lying, standing and also allows for more users. A rubber bumper on the seat ensures a nice, tactile grip and prevents users sliding out; and
  • A ‘You and Me Swing’ seat which can be viewed on kompan.com.au/you-me-swing-seat.

Cocowave Swing

  • An irresistible invitation for all to swing together. Standing, lying or sitting children will swing together whilst working on their balance skills and social skills.

Climbing Net

  • Kids can put their ninja skills to the test as they make their way across this obstacle course. Be quick and careful not to touch the ground!

The installation of the Rotary Park playground equipment was funded under Phase One of the Local Roads and Community Infrastructure (LRCI) Program. The installation of the softfall in Rotary Park playground was funded under Phase Two of the LRCI Program.

Phase Two Shade Structure

At Council’s General Meeting held Tuesday 27 July 2021, Council awarded Tender HSC 21/16 Design and Construct – Shade Structure for Rotary Park Playground to Urban Play Pty Ltd.

The Rotary Park Shade Structure is fully funded under Phase Two of the Local Roads and Community Infrastructure (LRCI) Program.  This program supports local councils to deliver priority local road and community infrastructure projects across Australia, supporting jobs and the resilience of local economies to help communities bounce back from the COVID-19 Pandemic.

Under Phase Two of the LRCI Program, the installation of the shade structure will replace the previous shade sail and posts that were removed as part of the Rotary Park Playground demolition works. The previous structure was prone to vandalism due to the ease of being able to climb onto the shade sails. It posed a safety hazard to the public and many defects in the shade material were present, contributing to the need to undertake a full replacement.

The shade structure material will be premium quality Mehler 750gms plus PVC coated, low Wick Polyester Scrim and have a temperature range of -30 degrees Celsius to +70 degrees Celsius. The construction of the Shade Structure is scheduled to commence in October 2021. The park will be closed to the public whilst these works are undertaken. 

Rotary Park Drinking Fountain

Council is excited to announce that a new drinking fountain has been installed in Rotary Park playground. Installing the drinking fountain aims to encourage the community to embrace reusable water bottles and reduce the amount of disposable plastic bottles that are entering landfill, or end up as rubbish in the ocean.

The design concept considered the key factors of attractiveness, ease of use, and cleanliness as research shows that people are more likely to utilise a drinking fountain which displays these features. The design concept is extremely eye catching as it features Australia’s largest single drop waterfall, Wallaman Falls, and the facility will allow for easy refill of water bottles.

The installation of the Rotary Park playground drinking fountain was funded under Phase Two of the Local Roads and Community Infrastructure (LRCI) Program.

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