Mindarie Park sees rise in visits by all children including those with disabilities

October 19, 2022

James Croll

Access / Parks / Play / Recreation /

Parkequip, the designers of the inclusive Mindarie Park All Abilities Playground, undertaken for Lane Cove Council, have advised of the increased usage of this popular playground since its opening three and a half years ago.

Located at Lane Cove North and opened by NSW MP Anthony Roberts and the Lane Cove Mayor Pam Palmer in February 2019, Mindarie Reserve is an All Abilities Playground which was developed for the Council by Parkequip and Parkequip’s equipment manufacturers Landscape Structures.

Sited on the corner of Mindarie Street and Kullah Parade, Mindarie Park was originally six residential properties that Council acquired through a rezoning process. It is now a multi-generational park that caters for a wide range of users with its all-access playground, pathway network, multi-use games arena, seating options, teen ropes hangout course and open expanse of lawn.

The project attracted great interest during its development as it was a one of a kind inclusive playspace in the area with a Nature Theme that aligns with the Everyone Can Play guidelines to cater for all children and their carers.

This nature-inspired, inclusive playground engages children and their families along the ramps and walkways with tactile, visual and auditory-stimulating panels, slides, play components and our popular Inclusive Sway Fun Glider with ample room for two wheelchairs plus two large benches for carers and others.

The fenced playspace includes a range of swings, natural-looking play materials and equipment that is suitable for people of all abilities to enjoy. Also on-site are new BBQ facilities, toilets and seniors fitness equipment. The project was made possible following $1million in funding from the NSW Department of Planning and a further $800,000 in Council contributions

Children of all abilities can enjoy the highly textured, nature-inspired events where kids can crawl through, climb on both the outside and insides of the rock panels as well as find lifelike frogs, mice, bats and insects sculptured into the rock faces.

The inclusion of detention basins and rain gardens respond to the topography of the site and filter and enhance the quality of stormwater entering Stringybark Creek further downstream. Permeable materials are used throughout the site to ensure that the best water sensitive urban design practices are achieved.

The park is activated by its large number of users including a regular coffee cart to service the visitors. The community was engaged from early design phase and it is demonstrated in the overarching themes displayed throughout the play spaces of this park.

The project was funded by the NSW Government in association with Lane Cove Council.

Click here to contact Parkequip via their listing in the Australasian Leisure Management Supplier Directory.

Images: The inclusive Mindarie Park All Abilities Playground. Credit: Parkequip.

About the author

James Croll

With a background in adventure tourism, events management and marketing, James Croll is a regular contributor to Australasian Leisure Management and Asian Leisure Business.

Click here to view his LinkedIn profile.

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