FAQs
What is the Play Provision Strategy?
The Play Provision Strategy is the City’s plan for playgrounds and play spaces over the next 20 years.
The Strategy aims to make the City’s playgrounds appropriate, fun, stimulating, and accessible for everyone, with a goal of at least one playground within 400 meters from all residents in Canning.
It aims to provide better shade, a focus on nature and adventure play and more inclusive play spaces. If you wish to read the full strategy it can be found under the 'Documents' tab.
How did the City select the playgrounds that are being upgraded this financial year?
In developing our Play Provision Strategy we conducted a thorough review of all the City’s playgrounds in the City of Canning, and based on their condition we have created a list of those to be upgraded.
The playgrounds that needed the most attention were upgraded first, with more to follow each financial year. The number of playgrounds to be upgraded each year is determined based on budget and resources.
My local playground is not on the list. When will it be upgraded?
Playgrounds are selected based on various factors such as their condition, age and location. Each of the City’s playgrounds was assessed as part of our Play Provision Strategy and provided a condition rating.
The playgrounds being upgraded this financial year have been selected as they are considered as needing particular attention. Any further playground upgrades will be guided by the Play Provision Strategy and available budget and resources for that financial year.
Unfortunately, that means we can’t advise if your local playground will be selected until we have confirmed the list of playgrounds for that financial year. We will however continue to provide project updates and communicate with the community as soon as we can.
Will my local playground have shade sails installed?
Karri Park playground will receive shade sails this financial year. This is not pictured in the playground design renders as the sails design and installation is separate to this playground project.
The other 5 remaining playground will not be receiving shade sails this financial year. Shade sails are a costly item and are budgeted separately each year to the playground renewals.
Where possible, and as the City's preferred option, the City utilises shade from existing trees or provides future shade with planting new trees.
In some instances natural shade is not adequate and shade sails can be budgeted for. The priority of shade sail installation is dependent on factors such as lack of existing shade, playground usage and size, and budget availability.
What considerations have been made for children and/or carers with a disability?
One of the outcomes of the City’s Disability Access and Inclusion Plan is to improve access and inclusion at Council parks and reserves, playgrounds and to our river foreshores.
Our Play Provision Strategy aims to make all of the City’s playgrounds appropriate, fun, stimulating, and more accessible for everyone. That means considering things like the placement of seating, building accessible pathways and installing universally accessible equipment where possible.
This will be part of the design process for all playgrounds we have planned for renewal.
Why does the City continue to use sand or mulch soft fall?
Mulch and sand soft fall remain the City's preferred choice for fall attenuation under surfacing within playgrounds. These materials are low cost, easily maintained, renewable, safe and environmentally friendly.
We understand rubber soft fall can be more comfortable and 'clean' underfoot, and provides great accessibility through playgrounds. However, it is very costly and is can have negative impacts to the environment.
The City is committed to investigating the feasibility of alternative surfacing, complaint with Australian Standards, that is cost effective, environmentally friendly, and provides adequate accessibility for future projects.
Have you consulted with the disability sector and community on this?
During the development of the Play Provision Strategy the City reached out to a number of organisations within the disability sector, as well as local residents living with a disability or acting as carers.
These people were invited to participate in the survey and also to attend a workshop to discuss their ideas around how we could improve the City’s playgrounds. This feedback was used to draft a large part of the Strategy which focuses on inclusivity and accessibility.
Will I still have access to my local park while the upgrades occur?
Yes, however there will be a temporary fence erected around the construction site. We ask that you take care around any machinery moving in and out of the site.
Can I expect any noise and disruption during the works?
Work will be carried out between standard working hours of 7am to 5pm on weekdays, so no after-hours disturbance is expected.
How long will construction take?
Each playground will vary, however generally construction will take roughly six to eight weeks.