City of Boroondara: Markham Reserve Playground
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As determined by the Markham Victory Reserve Concept Master Plan, a regional playground has been constructed in Markham Reserve, Ashburton. The playground includes an integrated skate area, basketball half court, public toilet and picnic facilities.
The regional playground attracts visitors from across and outside the municipality and is designed to provide fully accessible play opportunities and equipment for children of all ages. The playground fills a gap in youth and family services in the Ashburton area and addresses the need for safe youth activities identified in the community safety plan. All feedback received from the community and community groups has been very positive.
Project objectives
Boroondara’s Council Plan provides direction in its words “We will identify and respond to community needs and provide opportunities to enable people in our community to be supported and involved”, “Healthy, connected families and youth able to access a wide range of opportunities”, and “High quality natural environments, parks and gardens for the current and future Boroondara community.”
A number of key documents have been developed to meet the Council Plan objectives:
- The Boroondara Playground Development Strategy 2005 recommended that the local playground in Markham Victory Reserve be upgraded to a regional playground to incorporate play opportunities and equipment for all ages.
- The Boroondara Municipal Skate & BMX Strategy 2007 recommended that a junior skate facility be incorporated into the new regional playground.
- The Young People’s Strategy 2009-2014 recommended to “Investigate opportunities to enhance the provision of spaces for young people.”
The Markham Victory Reserve Concept Master Plan determined that the playground be located in Markham Reserve, between Ramu Grove and Warner Avenue in Ashburton. The Regional Playground now attracts visitors from across and outside the municipality and is designed to provide fully accessible play opportunities and equipment for children of all ages.
Project Outcomes
The playground includes the following elements, as identified by the master plan process and relevant strategic documents:
- Perimeter fence or boundary treatment
- Drinking fountains
- Seating
- BBQ and picnic area
- Connecting paths
- Shade
- Public toilet
- Skate elements
- Landscaping
- Half court and rebound wall
The overall playground concept has been designed in four zones catering to toddlers, juniors, seniors with the active play space (skate area and basketball half court) fully incorporated into the overall design. An activity and viewing deck runs the full length of the playground and separates each of the four quadrants. The active area is located furthest from houses to minimise disturbance.
The playground design also incorporates an automated public toilet located close to the road for maximum visibility and security and with some vegetation to soften its appearance. This component of the project is an essential component of a regional playground. The toilet will also cater for users of the adjacent shared path (Gardiners Creek Trail).
Innovative features of the project
The overall playground concept has been designed in four zones catering to toddlers, juniors, seniors with the active play space (skate area and basketball half court) fully incorporated into the overall design. An activity and viewing deck runs the full length of the playground and separates each of the four quadrants. The active area is located furthest from houses to minimise disturbance.
The playground design also incorporates an automated public toilet located close to the road for maximum visibility and security and with some vegetation to soften its appearance. This component of the project is an essential component of a regional playground. The toilet will also cater for shared path users and potential users of the proposed junior soccer field.
Distinguishing features of the project
The Markham Reserve Regional Playground is an accessible playground suitable for all ages. It has a unique design that segments the playground into areas with a major bridge structure along the central access providing a panoramic view of the whole site.
The playground was developed out of a holistic planning approach whereby the needs were identified (Council policies and strategies), the community was consulted (Master Plan) and the playground concept developed to address the relevant issues.
The creation of this playground resulted in the removal of an existing nearby playground as the service need for that playground had been replaced by the new playground.
Barriers overcome to achieve success
In 2008, Council adopted the Markham Victory Reserve Concept Master Plan after consultation with 1500 local residents living within 500 metres of Markham Victory Reserve. The master plan consultation determined the playground location, character and key components.
A community engagement and communication plan was developed in early 2010 to build on the consultation conducted as part of the master plan and develop a thorough strategy for informing the local community and community groups of the proposed playground development. The communication plan included on-site signs, posters in neighbourhood houses and community centres and Boroondara Bulletin and Leader notices.
On 1 March 2010, Council officers presented the integrated playground / skate area / basketball half court concept design to the Ashburton Neighbourhood Renewal Group, including key local stakeholders, at Ashburton Bowls Club.
On 30 March 2010, a community information session was conducted to explain the background to the project and to introduce and review the playground design offering an opportunity for discussion.
All feedback received from the community and community groups has been very positive.
The playground fills a gap in youth and family services in the Ashburton area and addresses the need for safe youth activities identified in the community safety plan.
Costs/Benefits associated with the project
The project considered the service need for playgrounds in the catchment area and resulted in the removal of a nearby playground. The service level has been maintained and a redundant asset has been retired.