Brabham Playground nominated for national landscaping award

BRABHAM’S all-abilities playground has been nominated for a national landscaping award.

The Common Playground, also known as Livvi’s Place, located on Mayfield Drive opened in late 2015.

It is one of a handful of WA playgrounds in the running for the Australian Institute of Landscape Architect’s Australia’s Best Playground competition.

According to the entry, EPCAD’s design solutions for the playground in Stockland’s Whiteman Edge development had a range of proprietary and play structures and a variety of surface treatments, including poured rubber and concrete for wheelchair accessibility.

“Poured rubber surfaces extend to inside a sandpit allowing the utility of a birds nest swing as well as the formation of a wheelchair accessible ramp to a dual line flying fox fitted with a basket chair,” it said.

“A ‘drive in’ carousel installed among rubber soft fall extends the wheelchair accessible play elements.

“Concrete surfacing in a variety of mainly muted colours, textures and patterning was installed around play elements catering to children with autism spectrum disorders, visual, hearing and mobility impairments.

“These proprietary play pieces have been arranged spatially to allow ease of access for multiple users and simultaneous wheelchairs.’

The playground has spaces to suit a broad range of ages and more than 200 trees were planted to provide future shade cover.

“Support features for the playground have proven incredibly popular and their usage has exceeded original expectations, especially the paired shelters and barbeques,” the entry said.

“Additional elements include a dual restroom with a changing table to support an adult body, a drinking fountain, two shade structures over toddler play areas and multiple seating options throughout the playground of both traditional benches and recycled logs.

“Ease of vehicle parking is allowed for with multiple car bays along Mayfield Drive.”

Three existing mature trees were preserved, and there is informal seating beneath those, one with turf and the others with bark mulch and rocks and tree trunks upcycled and carved into seats.

Public voting closes tomorrow and the national winner announcement will be on May 24.

Vote and view entries.