North Perth: Kids get creative in pop-up play space

WOODVILLE Reserve is home to a new free-play nature space for young people to get creative.

During April, City of Vincent staff and Mayor Emma Cole met with North Perth children who had created their own play area in the under-used back of the reserve.

Found treasures and left-over materials from the local community garden had unlocked a world of fun outside a regular playground.

The resulting idea was to support what the children had already started, providing raw materials they wanted and encouraging more children to use the space.

Local children Max (12) and Catherine (11) were enthusiastic about the project.

“It gives me lots of freedom to do things I can’t do at other places,” Max said.

“I love being able to make cubbies and forts with lots of recycled things we find.”

Catherine said she had a lot of fun meeting new friends and working together to build things.

“The world is not ready made for you, so it’s nice and fun to see what we can make ourselves,” she said.

Vincent Council approved the City’s Open Space Strategy in December last year, but an independent audit highlighted gaps for play spaces and facilities for older children and teenagers in Mt Hawthorn, Leederville and North Perth.

Mayor Cole said the City needed more open, creative and challenging play for older children.

“Woodville Reserve is the first Pop Up Play, and we hope to do more before the end of June,” she said.

“The temporary play spaces will be based on ideas that have been put forward by members of the community, with direct feedback from youth.”

To share your thoughts on what kinds of Pop Up Play you would like to see in your area, head to imagine.vincent.wa.gov.au or call 9273 6000.