Marker Drive Park within Yanchep Golf Estate, north of Perth, Western Australia, is a new park that celebrates Indigenous culture and games. The park was designed by LD Total with the guidance of Cultural Consultant Derek Nannup, for Peet Communities and City of Wanneroo.
The park includes a multi-use court set up for residents to play games derived from the Yulunga Traditional Indigenous Games collection by the Australian Sports Commission.
The landscape architects, with advice from Derek Nannup, selected nine games from indigenous countries around Australia, including some played by the local Noongar peoples of the south-west corner of Western Australia.
One of the games are Meetcha Boma, which means ‘nut striking,’ a hockey-like game played with a red gum nut and crooked root as a bat; and Noongar Wana, a cricket-like game played by young Noongar girls using a wana, or ‘digging stick’.
Shadra Pearson, Associate Landscape Architect with LD Total, said Derek Nannup was “an amazing mentor and a fundamental part of this project,” assisting the landscape architects to respectfully highlight indigenous culture while making it accessible to everyone.
“The community feedback has been fantastic, especially for the Indigenous multi-use court. Derek continues to meet with the community monthly to build community spirit around the games. Parents are happy that the space allows for both young and older children,” Shadra said.
The park also has a Mia Mia cubby house, a nature play area, fitness zone and picnic area.
For picnic settings LD Total have specified the Linea range from Street Furniture Australia, which features strong stainless steel frames and low-maintenance aluminium battens.
Linea Cubes and an Arqua Drinking Station look striking with pops of Lycra Strip Green and Shamrock Green from the anti-fade UV-resistant DuraBright powdercoat range. “The effect of the bright greens is fantastic. The colours and materials of the furniture all read holistically with everything in the landscape. And visually-impaired users can easily identify the bright furniture,” said Shadra.
LD Total designed and constructed the park end-to-end for Peet Communities and City of Wanneroo. “We and the client are over the moon with the outcome of Marker Drive Park. It is a great asset for residents and visitors, who can enjoy a variety of games and activities in a beautiful setting. We are proud to support Indigenous culture and heritage through this project, and are grateful to Derek Nannup for his invaluable input and guidance,” Shadra said.
