JW Rattley Reserve Additional Upgrades

New play equipment (basket swing, playground structure, musical instrument - xylophone);  nature play elements; lawned area; picnic areas; access path; reflection garden; mural on the fences; and general landscaping.

Key components of the revised plan include a teepee hut, hopscotch, timber armchairs, balancing logs and boulders connecting the various play elements. Any plants that have died will also be replaced with larger pot sizes.  

We are allocating $20,000 for the additional upgrades including supply and installation of the various interactive features and equipment, earthworks, additional ground surface materials as required, edging and nature play.

JW Rattley Reserve is classified as a “Local” park in Council’s endorsed Open Space Strategy, meaning that the funds and maintenance spend on this park should be minor compared to the other parks that have higher classifications. Local parks having the following function and elements:

“A local park should have minimal play equipment, minor lighting and signage, and passive un-irrigated areas with low key plantings and natural shade. It should designed for short, frequent visits, reflecting the local context, and is a flexible space with predominantly passive recreation (informal/low key activities and relaxation).”

 A park such as JW Rattley should not have facilities or be compared to a park such as Prospect’s Memorial Gardens (next to Prospect Oval) or other high profile parks, as the two have very different functions, based on their classifications, location, size, etc. Any additional play equipment with nominated fall-zones is a large expense to install and not feasible for the Stage 2 Works. Play equipment with nominated fall-zones require appropriate softfall for safety, and the existing ground surface material is rubble and not suitable as a softfall material. In this instance, we are enhancing the nature play component as nature play provides many benefits for child development.

Council received some negative feedback from the community about the loss of lawn area; reduced size of play equipment and disruptive nature of the musical instrument. The musical instrument has subsequently been removed and we will not be replacing or installing another musical piece at this park.