News 14 August 2008

Woodend Children’s Park Plans Unveiled

A dry ‘lake’, a 30 metre flying fox, lookout tower, boardwalk and bbq areas are just some of the features planned for the Woodend Children’s Park.

The Woodend Children’s Park Committee last night unveiled the ambitious design plans at a function to thank supporters.

The plans, drawn by local architect Pene Rice, will be on display outside the Coles supermarket on Saturday 16th August where Committee members will be on hand to answer questions. The plans will remain on display outside the supermarket to give everyone an opportunity to view them.

The design centres on the concept of the ‘ lake’ in the middle of the 11,500sqm site fronting Nicholson St (between the Woodend Kindergarten and Woodend Bowling Club) to behind Pyke St. 

The grassed ‘lake’ will be an extensive open space for playing games, kicking a football or simply enjoying the outdoors. Natural and built elements form the ‘banks’ of the ‘lake’ including boulders to climb on, tunnels to climb through, slides, shady trees and equipment positioned in several play zones.

Younger children will be catered for with a fenced play area complete with seating for parents, while older children will be encouraged to test their skills on more adventurous equipment.

The park was designed by a team of local designers including architect Pene Rice, landscape designer Michael McCoy, graphic designer Brad Welsh, environmental scientist Alan Reid, building designer and lecturer at RMIT’s School of Design, Karyn Bianco and Mick Hassett from 2MH Consulting. The team took into account the size and natural features of the land as well as the results of comprehensive community consultation. 

Woodend Children’s Park Committee President, Ms Kellie Duff said she was thrilled with the way the design team had responded to the community’s desire for a park that respected and worked with the natural environment.

“This is not just a playground but a park the whole community can enjoy and be proud of,” she said

“Our vision was to create something that was much more than just strategically placed play equipment with a bit of landscaping. We wanted the natural environment to be integral to the whole park.”

Ms Duff said the Woodend Children’s Park Committee had been fortunate to attract the support and services of so many skilled people.

“The skills we have drawn from the community has been amazing – we can truly say that this is a park that has been conceived, designed, funded and built by the local community,” she said.

To take the project to completion, members of the Woodend Children’s Park Committee and Macedon Ranges Shire Council have formed a Project Steering Group.

The Project Steering Group consists of Woodend Children’s Park representatives including landscape architects, designers, mums and dads, director of project management company 2MH Consulting and Macedon Ranges Shire Council officers from Recreation, Maintenance, Infrastructure and Risk Assessment.  This group will meet every six weeks, until the projects completion.

Issues such as drainage and car-parking have been addressed in consultation with Council and the relevant water management authorities, and a planning permit has been lodged with the Council. 

For more information contact Kellie Duff 5427 1857 or Jane Walduck 5427 3308 childrenspark@woodendweb.org
Media contact – Slavka Scott 0419 33 77 3

Woodend Children's Park Incorporated ABN 76 727 270 589