Apex Park Redevelopment Wins
The aim for this nature play/sensory playground at Apex Park was to build a space which catered for children of all differing abilities. Children on the Autism Spectrum were considered specifically in this design to encourage play balance and a variety of opportunities which appealed to all abilities. The primary aim for this design concept was to stimulate a child’s imagination and provide excitement and adventure in measured and safe surroundings whilst allowing for the opportunity to develop individual ideas and interpretation of play.
This design concept concentrated on the following play benefits:
Encourages communication and social skills.
Improves gross motor skills.
Stimulates the senses and encourages hands on and multi-sensory engagement.
Assists in the reduction of behavioural conditions such as aggression and anxiety.
Encourages opportunities for investigative learning.
An integrated area which encourages a common ground approach to playing.
Working in conjunction with the Queanbeyan Lions Club, Council’s Urban Landscapes Department, Cultural Development Department and Community Services (disability) Department, the integrated garden and play space design generated much interest and praise by the Queanbeyan community. The result is an inclusive community space that is widely used.
Soul2Soil Landscape Design Pty Ltd is proud to have been involved in this project. Receiving an award from LG Professionals Australia (in the Asset Management and Infrastructure category) isn’t too bad either!
Learning Through Nature Play Wins
Silver Award - Commercial Design (Educational)
The brief for Woden Early Childhood Centre’s project was to produce a design that encapsulated and balanced outdoor learning with areas for quiet, natural, creative, active, and stimulating play opportunities, whilst blending a sense of place for both child and Educator.
It was important the outdoor play space was aesthetically pleasing, safe, flexible, and functional, taking into consideration environmentally sustainable material choices whilst supporting the child’s explorative, emotional, physical, social, and cognitive well-being.
Judges comments, “The design was judged to be a successful rejuvenation of the space. In addition to engaging play equipment, the use of logs, stones and climbing surfaces provide an organic space amidst plants with textural variation, and deciduous trees”.