Whitehorse News - October 2022

Working for Whitehorse series

Work hard, play hard

Have you noticed all the revamped play spaces around Whitehorse lately?

Council staff have been hard at work making sure our play spaces are in a great condition so that they can be enjoyed by our community. 

But what exactly goes into renewing a play space?

“The process starts with my team working with the Parks and Natural Environment Team to scope out the project,” said Caroline Martin, the Landscape Lead on Council’s Project Delivery and Assets Team.

“We then consult our community, collate their feedback and use it to inform the design of the play space. From there, we organise quotes, engage our contractors and manage construction throughout the installation phase.”

Caroline explained that not every playground is created equal.

“In dealing with a very steep slope at Thatcher Reserve, we have created rubber scramble steps between the two play space levels. At Black’s Walk play space, which is nestled in the Blackburn Creeklands, an extensive set of rope equipment was selected to provide an adventurous play experience in that unique environment.” 

For Caroline, it is always rewarding to see the community making the most out of these spaces.

“I did get a buzz recently at Thatcher Reserve Play Space when I saw an 8 month old being gently nudged by their parent in a toddler swing, and nearby an adult lounging across a basket swing. Play spaces cater for all ages!”

Landscaping

Once a play space is constructed, our Parks and Natural Environment Team come in to finish landscaping and planting. 

They choose plants and trees carefully to grow natural shade, while maintaining visibility for carers. Vegetation, flat rocks and landscaping add natural adventure elements to the constructed pieces. It’s amazing how quickly they mature to create lush, welcoming spaces.

Maintaining our spaces

Once a play space is completed, Council’s Parks and Natural Environment Team works hard to maintain it and keep it safe for the community.

“Our team works on all assets in our parks, such as picnic settings, seating, fences, gates, playground equipment and gardens,” 

said Mark Granland, one of Council’s Open Space Supervisors.

We spoke to Rod Macdonald and Markku Molainen whose main focus is on equipment maintenance and Tim Ingwersen who works on the planting and garden beds around play spaces.

“We get to each playground at least twice a month for a general check up and clean, making sure everything is safe,” said Markku.

“We go to Box Hill Gardens, Halliday Park and Blackburn Lake every 2-3 days to clean and maintain because they’re such high-use,” said Rod.

“We go to the smaller playgrounds on side streets for maintenance about once a month, and check on them whenever we’re in the area. We also have regular audits throughout the year where each playground is thoroughly checked, which is a big task.”

Being out and about in our play spaces gives the team regular opportunities to interact with the community.

“People come up and thank us for what we’re doing, which is nice – sometimes we’re a bit taken aback by it,” said Rod.

“It’s a great place to work, a great team and every day is different.”

Recently completed play spaces

Combarton Park, Box Hill

Black's Walk, Blackburn

Cott Street Reserve, Vermont

Berry Way, Mitcham

Thatcher Reserve, Vermont

The renewed space has ample seating, bike rings, an accessible concrete path and great views. Play elements include a dual wave slide, toddler, adult and basket swings, frog rocker, mound scaling rope, ropes course, wheelchair accessible spinner and comet spinner.

Koonung Creek Reserve, Mont Albert North

This play space upgrade includes swings, monkey bars, track ride, spinner, a rope climbing cube with a long slide, a combination unit with climbing features, play panels and small slide. There’s also a new picnic table, seat and sealed footpath into the play space for improved accessibility.

Have your say and help shape the renewal of four play spaces in Whitehorse: Pickford Paddock (North) in Burwood East, Scarborough Park in Vermont South, Branksome Grove Reserve in Blackburn South and Collina Glen Reserve in Mitcham.  Feedback is open until 12 October 2022.