Guide Park Playspace
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 - a result of the extensive community consultation undertaken.
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 the connection to nature, the design features natural materials, sand and water play, sensory planting and is carefully integrated amongst existing shade trees.
Client: Bass Coast Shire Council
Location: Wonthaggi
Year: 2022
Collaborators: SBLA Studio
Photographer: Copper Door Studio
Awards:
2023 AILA National Landscape Architecture Award for Play Spaces
AILA 2023 VIC Award of Excellence for Play Spaces
AILA 2023 VIC Regional Achievement Award
2023 Parks & Leisure Australia Vic/Tas Awards of Excellence - Playspace Award >$5M
National Award Citation:
Guide Park Playspace demonstrates the impact of high-quality play-space design for regional locations. Designed for a diverse user demographic and including integration with the nearby aged-care facility, it is an exemplar of how play landscapes can cater to a broad cross-section of the community.
The project shows how play can connect communities to past stories as well as to potential futures. In response to community desires, the area’s coalmining history is recognized throughout the design, with alternative industrial futures also included. In this landscape, storytelling intertwines with play, with a minimal and sensitively selected material palette that allows for many imaginative uses.
