Prospect Gardens/Narnu Wirra Playspace Upgrade

Council’s Open Space Strategy identifies the priority parks for upgrades and the Prospect Gardens / Narnu Wirra playspace has been scheduled for an upgrade in the 2020/21 financial year.

City of Prospect was successful in receiving a State Government grant for the upgrade of the Prospect Gardens / Narnu Wirra Playspace. The total cost of the project is $437,000 with 50% ($218,500) coming from grant funding.

The draft concept plan incorporates:

• A new playground
• Fitness equipment
• Nature play
• Dinosaur fossil discovery trail
• Sensory music panel
• Furniture – will be upgraded as required. The details of this are in the next stage.
• Entry statement
• Lighting
• Paving there will be some new paving, particularly at the entry statement, the hill with the arbour, and at the southern entry. The details of this are in the next stage. 
• Amenity planting

The Draft Concept Plan incorporates a playspace with nature play element for children to explore, promotes the significance of natural beauty and educates children on the importance of nature through interaction. The Plan provides the opportunity for people of all ages and abilities to interact with each other if they like and the integrated design of the various elements will provide stimulation and activity for all. Alternatively, people may seek a quiet area under a tree and enjoy watching, reading or a place to reflect. Incorporating a sensory musical panel, stepping stones, fossil discovery trail and timber bridge will provide a passive, unstructured, peaceful and interesting space for all.

• Drinking water fountain with dog bowl
• Dog bag dispensers
• 2 x electric BBQ’s
• Pergola
• Seating
• Picnic tables
• Picnic shelter

Any of the furniture above that is at the end of its useful life will be replaced. We invite feedback on any additional furniture that is required.

• Existing play structure with slide
• Springer and rockers
• Swing set
• Flying fox

Some materials are recycled where possible, eg scrap metal. The rest is disposed of.

The trees are currently being assessed by an arborist and only trees that meet Council’s strict removal criteria will be removed (ie if they’re dead or dying).

The playspace will cater for children of all ages.

The project is limited to the upgrade of the playspace. Funds must be spent within the boundary of the playspace, including the hill with the arbour.  The project does not extend to other areas of the Prospect Gardens/Narnu Wirra (eg, tennis courts, petanque club, etc) or any other parks.

The location, positioning and type of equipment and park furniture can be influenced.  Anything identified as missing from the draft concept plan may also be considered for inclusion (eg need for more shelter, seating, etc).

All feedback received will be collated by Council staff and reported to Council at the September 2020 Council Meeting for their consideration.

Construction will commence at the beginning of 2021.

A survey for the Prospect Gardens / Narnu Wirra playspace was undertaken in September 2017, providing options for play equipment and seeking feedback on what residents would like to see as part of an upgrade. Surveys were distributed to all residents that live within a 200 metre radius of the park and responses were compiled to determine the most appropriate components to be included in the draft Concept Plan.

The most common components were new play equipment (including a large play structure, cubby house, swings and climbing equipment); nature play; and more park furniture. 94% of respondents said they would visit the park more often if it were upgraded to suit their needs. The majority of children at the time of the survey fell into the 6-12 years age bracket.

A Draft Concept Plan has been prepared in response to the community survey responses, acknowledging that the children would be a little older now and reflecting this in the draft Concept Design.

There has been a 3 year delay since the previous community consultation as funds were allocated to other projects at the time and the Open Space Strategy was still being developed and was in draft form. It was important for the Open Space Strategy to be endorsed to inform all future park upgrades. Since its endorsement by Council, funds have been allocated in Council’s Long Term Financial Plan each year to deliver the Open Space Strategy and Prospect Gardens/Narnu Wirra is listed for an upgrade in the 2020/21 financial year.