WONTHAGGI'S Guide Park Playspace has won a Regional Achievement Award and an Award of Excellence in the Play Spaces category at the Australian Institute of Landscape Architects Victorian State Awards.
The Australian Institute of Landscape Architects (AILA) announced the winners of the 2023 Victorian State Awards at an event held in Melbourne last week.
The jury honoured four projects with Regional Achievement Awards, out of a total of 23 entries in the category.
The Guide Park Playspace by Orchard Design with SBLA Studio won a Regional Achievement Award and an Award of Excellence in the Play Spaces category.
Guide Park Playspace in Wonthaggi is a regional all-inclusive play space promoting health, well being and active lifestyles.
The design is inspired by the local coastal landscape with elements reflecting Bass Coast Shire’s coal mining history.
It was highlighted that the playspace provides a balance of challenging active and creative play experiences for all ages in an inviting and explorative landscape.
With a focus on strengthening connection to nature, the design features natural materials, sand and water play, sensory planting and is carefully integrated amongst existing shade trees.
The jury says the project, “has been recognised for its contribution to the region’s social, environmental and economic sustainability, which was informed by extensive community consultation and a collaborative design approach. This inclusive and inviting intergenerational play space is a fantastic asset for people living and visiting Wonthaggi.”
The redevelopment of the Guide Park and Playspace, which opened during early 2023, was carried out by Planned Constructions Pty Ltd, at a cost of $1.77M.
Bass Coast Shire received support from the Victorian Government with $700,000 funded by Sport and Recreation Victoria and $350,000 from the Growing Suburbs Fund.
The new park includes:
• a regional scale playspace including a mine themed slide tower, flying foxes, a trampoline, carousel, gentle exercise area and nature based play.
• Supporting infrastructure including a drinking fountain, bike racks, pathways, fencing and an accessible barbecue.
• New garden beds, mature trees and irrigation works.
• Changes to the internal road configuration to create more parking and improved vehicle access.
