The City of Bayswater is the first metropolitan Council to install a communications board to help children with communication difficulties lead their own play.
Mayor Filomena Piffaretti said playspace and landscape upgrades to Gibbney Reserve in Maylands offered families a more inclusive playground to enjoy.
“We all know children learn through play, so I am delighted the City has been able to enrich the interactions between children and their caregivers when they visit their local park,” she said.
“This Communications Board will assist children with disabilities and people who are non-verbal to communicate with their friends and family while enjoying the space.
“Using the symbols and icons on the board, children can point or gesture to emotions that describe how they are feeling or to different playground elements and lead their parent or caregiver in the type of play they want.
“Local residents told us they wanted the playground to be accessible to everyone, so the communications board is one of a range of new additions, including a basket swing, harness swing and wheelchair accessible carousel. These complement an interactive sand table that will allow children to experience sensory play.”
The redevelopments at Gibbney Reserve were officially launched on Wednesday 2 November, attended by Senator Fatima Payman on behalf of the Australian Government.
The upgrades were made possible through $252,000 in funding from the Australian Government’s Local Roads and Community Infrastructure Program.
“I’m very pleased we could contribute to the redevelopment of this community favourite,” Hon Patrick Gorman MP said.
“I’m sure the upgrades at Gibbney Reserve will be welcomed by locals and invite those further afield to visit.”
As part of the upgrades, the City used feedback from students of nearby Maylands Peninsula Primary School, with top requests for an animal log carving, bouncers and a more adventurous slide – all of which were incorporated into the design of a new nature play zone.
The large open nature play zone, complete with an adventure slide with boulder steps, climbing logs, steppers and a carved log sculpture of yoorn (the Noongar name for Bobtail), will encourage children to run wild with their imagination.
Other highlights include a sheltered accessible barbecue area, a shaded exercise station, new seating, open turf picnic areas and accessible connecting pathways.
The City worked with Activ and students from Maylands Peninsula Primary School to plant more than 200 trees and over 6,500 native plants around the space.
The Australian Government’s Local Roads and Community Infrastructure (LRCI) Program supports local councils to deliver priority local road and community infrastructure projects across Australia, supporting jobs and the resilience of local communities, particularly in regional and remote areas.
The City is committed to improving its reserves and facilities, and developing inclusive play spaces as part of its Play Space Strategy, and Access and Inclusion Plan 2020-2024.