THE under-construction Kings Square is set to be a kid’s paradise once completed, following a huge grant announcement for a play space in the city centre.
The City of Fremantle has secured a $342,000 grant for the play space, with the concept design including features such as cranes, bridges, train tracks and shopping containers to link in with Fremantle’s industrial history.
Bold lighting treatments, interactive soundscapes and tactile nature play elements are set to make it attractive for kids.
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READ NOWAround 170 kids and their parents were asked to help design the new play space through surveys and a series of workshops at local schools.
WA-based landscape architecture firm Seedesign Studio were selected via a competitive tender process to develop a concept based on their feedback.
Construction on the play space is expected to start in August 2020 and be completed by December.
Fremantle Mayor Brad Pettitt said it was tremendous to get Lotterywest’s support for the play space.
“We want Kings Square to be a place where families meet and spend time together, so the play space is an absolutely critical element in the Kings Square Renewal project and our plan to bring more people and activity back to the centre of Fremantle,” he said.
“The concept is for the play space to have zones which will appeal to a broad age range from toddlers through to primary school children, as well as being accessible for children with disabilities.
“Programmable lighting elements will also highlight the play space features at night, creating a whole new look and feel after dark and to make it a feature of the broader public space in Kings Square.”
Fremantle MLA Simone McGurk said the new playground would be a great, family-friendly addition to the redeveloped Kings Square.
“It’s so important that we have spaces in the CBD for Freo kids to connect and engage in creative play,” she said.
The City is undertaking a $270 million renewal of Kings Square in partnership with Sirona Capital, which includes the redevelopment of the old Myer and Queensgate sites to create offices for 1600 state government employees and the FOMO food and retail concept, the construction of the City of Fremantle’s new civic centre and library and the rejuvenation of the public spaces that surround the site.
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