Update: At the December 2020 meeting, Council adopted the Inclusive Play Space Study. The consultation summary report, Council report and final Strategy are available to view at the 'Documents Library'.

Project Background

Waverley Council is committed to providing equitable and inclusive play spaces throughout the Waverley local government area (LGA). We're undertaking an Inclusive Play Space Study to provide strategic direction on how we can provide inclusive play spaces where everyone can play, regardless of their age or ability.

The Inclusive Play Space Study will form a supporting document to Council’s Play Space Strategy 2014—2029 providing key guidance on access, inclusion and equity when we plan and design new play spaces. This study also explores exciting new concepts such as providing for intergenerational play, and we would love to know what you think.

See 'Documents Library' to view the draft Inclusive Play Space Study.

We want to make sure everyone can play in our LGA!

Round 1 Consultation Summary

The first round of consultation for this project was held from 1 July to 30 September 2019. Thank you to everyone who filled out a survey, attended a meeting, or made a submission.

We incorporated feedback from 173 people heard across eight consultations, identified and assessed 14 initial play spaces suitable for supporting inclusive play, and researched policy and best practice design for inclusive play.

To ensure the Study captured a broad cross-section of people, we invited 65 organisations who work, live with, or support people with disabilities to participate as well as inviting the broader community.

Key findings of the consultation were:

1. The most visited play spaces in Waverley for people with a disability are Queens Park, Bondi Park, Bronte Park, and Waverley Park.

Reasons for selection included:

• Proximity to home or school
• Inclusive equipment and activities
• Fenced with secure gates
• Accessible paths and ramps
• Spaciousness
• Accessible parking
• Playgrounds designed with Inclusive Principles (eg. areas to have time away from others if needed).

2. Feedback received provided clear guidance about types of play experience people would like in an inclusive play space, as follows:

• Nature Play (natural materials and equipment)
• Solo and Quiet Play (intimate spaces for watching others playing and having no prescribed program for play)
• Sensory Play (natural materials and specialist equipment
• Free Play Spaces (unencumbered grassed open areas)
• Physical Play (different ways of being physically active)
• Imaginative Play (an overall themed setting or a smaller whimsical item)
• Social Play (activities that work best with a group of people)
• Cognitive Play (intellectual challenges and puzzles)

In order for a play space to support a visit by people with disabilities, accessible supportive features should include shade, fencing of play space, nearby parking, nearby toilets, picnic tables, accessible paths, drinking water and group seating.

The full consultation report is available to view in the Document Library, split into three parts — Executive Summary, Main Body, and Appendix.

We've used the feedback received in the first round of consultation to develop a draft Inclusive Play Space Study.

How to provide feedback

Consultation on the draft Inclusive Play Space Study runs for six weeks until 8 November 2020, and you can provide feedback below.

We held a webinar on 22 October 2020. If you missed it, or are interested in rewatching, please click here to view.

If you or someone you know is not able to provide feedback online, please contact us at openspace@waverley.nsw.gov.au or call 9083 8000 and we will work out other options for feedback.

The Draft Inclusive Play Space Study Public Exhibition survey has now concluded.