Playgrounds
Council recognises the importance of play in encouraging the physical, psychological and social development of children. Across Council’s parks and reserves, Council aims to provide inclusive play opportunities for children of all ages and abilities.
There are currently over 150 playgrounds spread throughout the City which provide a variety of activities and types of play catering for a range of needs and abilities.
Accessible Playgrounds
The help the community understand playground Council tags a playground as accessible when they have the following seven elements:
- Accessible play surface
- Accessible play equipment (1 or more)
- Accessible seating with armrests
- Shade
- Kerb ramp from street to footpath
- Playground side footpath
- Pathway to playground
These elements have been considered alongside the NSW Government’s everyone can play framework and principles.
It is important to note that even though a playground may be classified as accessible, this playground still may not meet your accessibility requirements.
View list of accessible parks and playgrounds
Fenced Playgrounds
Playgrounds are only fenced if there is a potential hazard in the immediate surrounding area for example busy road, car park or deep water, without any clear sight lines to that hazard.
Fenced playgrounds throughout the city may include:
- playgrounds immediately enclosed by a fence
- partially fenced which involves the larger park fully enclosed by a fence and/or boundary
- fencing alternatives such as plants and nature-based elements, seating and sandstone blocks may be used if appropriate
Council encourages parents and caregivers visiting our parks and reserves to ensure they are providing the appropriate level of supervision to children.
Shade at Playgrounds
Shade comes in many forms, including natural shade from trees, playground roof structures, shade from adjacent buildings, and built shade such as shade sails.
Generally natural shade will be provided at local play spaces where available to key play space and central seating areas.
Council encourages everyone visiting our parks and reserves to be sun-safe and reduce their UV exposure.
Requesting an Upgrade to a Playground
We inspect all our playgrounds quarterly and carry out maintenance when required. Each year all playgrounds are assessed by a third-party assessor and from this safety audit, a condition rating is given which alongside age and provision, determines its priority within our annual renewal program. The current budget allows for approximately 4 to 5 local playground replacements per year.
Community consultation is included in all playground replacements and the local community will have the opportunity to provide feedback to the process and plans.
You can find out which playgrounds have been recently replaced or are next on the list by visiting the park upgrades page.
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