When Street Furniture Australia’s photographer ventured to the upgraded Anzac Park in Campsie, it was so crowded with happy families he had to postpone the shoot for a less busy time of day.
The popularity of this park is a testament to its design, by Moir Landscape Architects, and implementation by contractor Sterling Group Services.
The City of Canterbury-Bankstown commissioned the $575,000 upgrade, co-funded with ClubGrants, as the first of several playgrounds to be developed for its growing population.
“Anzac Park Playground is one of the first major upgrades in the Canterbury region and, yes, there are plenty more in the pipeline,” says Daniel Walters, landscape architect with the City of Canterbury-Bankstown.
“The playground upgrade at Anzac Park is significant as it is in the centre of our busiest town and has such a diverse range of users. The playground was designed with this in mind.
“In the nineties there was very much a ‘one size fits all approach’ to playground installations within the Canterbury region. They were often dull and offered limited opportunities for young people to challenge themselves.
“Today our playground designs aspire to be innovative and provide all age groups and abilities with the opportunity to develop important life skills.
“These, together with demographics of an area, community expectations, and how well a proposed playground adds value and diversity within the existing playground network are factors that mostly influence design.”
Moir Landscape Architects collaborated with the Council in designing a park to provide for diversity and more challenging play.
“Anzac Park Playground has been transformed into a vibrant city playground which caters for all ages and abilities, from the toddler play area through to adults exercise equipment,” says Ashley Rathgen, senior landscape architect with Moir.
“The community has embraced the space. With increased visitation users have been interacting imaginatively with the creative and challenging play elements and utilising the facilities for group gatherings.
“The large scale Giant Octanet and Mammoth Swing have become landmark features of the park, drawing older children to the playground and facilitating group interactions.
“The hide and seek garden encourages non-prescribed play, incorporating natural materials, and imaginative play elements such as the fishing rod and boat to interpret a creek line which once ran through the site.”
Street Furniture Australia contributed Classic Plaza Platforms, settings of Classic Plaza DDA Seats paired with Park DDA Tables, and tailored Arc Seats were fixed on curved concrete plinths with brackets.
“The street furniture was selected to compliment the play equipment and modern materials while the timber material is consistent with the more traditional elements in the park,” says Rathgen.
“The custom concrete, curved precast concrete and timber seats create a design feature unique which is unique to Anzac Park Playground.
“The curved seats were designed to allow supervision over the multiple play areas throughout the site and their generous size has the ability to accommodate users in busy periods.”
The upgrade includes playground equipment including a Giant Octonet, new trees, an accessible swing, large shade sails and colourful rubber soft-fall surfaces.
Rathgen says accessible design has been carefully considered and integrated throughout the playground, “from furniture selection to prescribed play elements such as the Mammoth Swing and Boat, and custom features including the accessible timber ramp through the hide and seek garden.
“Inclusive design ensures there are opportunities for children of all abilities to interact and experience the playground.”
