Hallstrom Park Playground Landscape Improvements Plan. Small Street, Willoughby

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Crystal McKinney
5 years ago
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1 Hallstrom Park Playground Landscape Improvements Plan Small Street, Willoughby Public Exhibition Issues and Recommendations Report August 2015

2 Comments Received (Edited from respondents own words) ISSUE (Number of responses received in brackets) RECOMMENDATION What are your thoughts on the sketch plan for Hallstrom Park Playground? 1.00 AGE RANGE 1.01 It does not cater well for a range of ages. Not an area for toddlers as well as older children. (1) 1.02 It does not provide a range of equipment. (1) 1.03 Really great to appeal to kids aged (1) ACCESSIBILITY 2.01 Great to see sensory and disability options being introduced. (1) 2.02 Excellent to have wheelchair access to park. (1) 2.03 Like the accessible swings. (1) 2.04 Like the presence of accessible equipment. (1) 2.05 Like the accessible carousel. (1) 2.06 Good to see improvements to path network. (1) Equipment has been provided that caters to a range of ages from toddlers through to 8-12 year olds. Accessible equipment and grades are essential as Hallstrom Park is one Council s designated accessible playgrounds FURNITURE 3.01 Not in favour of the bespoke seating items. (4) Bespoke seating elements have been replaced with off-the-shelf products EQUIPMENT 4.01 Like the water play elements (as long as they don t need much maintenance and work through the year). (11) Water play has been included with a new pump that is connected to mains water Water play area is actually a nuisance for parents (especially in an unfenced playground) as the water feature is only generally usable in warm weather and we then must spend most of the months of the year trying to keep our children away from the water. (1) 4.03 More slides (for big and little kids) (8) Additional slides have been added More swings (2) Additional swings have been added Does this plan retain the sound sensors? (2) Two of the sound sensors have been retained Will the dinosaur bones be retained? (I hope so!) (1) The dinosaur bones have been retained The spinners are a bit useless. (1) The spinners have been replaced with other items Animal sculptures, pathways and cubby house are less popular. (1) A range of equipment has been 4.09 Will the stone animal sculptures be retained? (1) Yes Not in favour of the Aboriginal shelter. (2) The number of cubby items has been 4.11 Concerned about gumnut cubby having spiders in it. (1) reduced Too many cubby spaces. (1) 4.13 The proposed pods / cubbyhouses are very undesirable to have in a playground as they reduce visibility and make it difficult to supervise multiple children. (1) 4.14 I am glad to see an improved climbing structure (the fort). (1) The fort has been modified with additional climbing elements added Would be good if fort could be bigger. (1) The size of the fort is restricted by the

3 tree canopies Other climbing structures have been Climbing frames don't get much use. (1) 4.17 It is not an appropriate scale for the I'm not sure why the current climbing pyramid would space. It has been replaced with be removed? (1) other climbing opportunities Will the sand pit will remain in the proposed new playground? (1) A replacement sandpit is proposed in the new design The 'accessible sandpit' doesn't look very inviting. (1) Maintenance access will be improved, 4.20 Sandpit will need to be well looked after if located under same tree. (1) to aid a more regular maintenance regime. The fig tree is being removed 4.21 Sandpit least favoured option as gets dirty easily. (1) which will reduce sandpit debris SAFETY 5.01 While I understand that you are raising the sandpit to improve accessibility I think that for other smaller children this would then reduce its safety. Children will inevitably use the elevated wall as a balancing wall. (5) 5.02 Is there a way to make the sandpit more integrated with the surrounds and maybe only one end of it so angular to allow wheelchairs access? But to reduce the chance of children falling off. (1) 5.03 Is the fence fully bordering the playground? and are the playground gates the only way to leave the playground? (1) The design of the sandpit has been modified to eliminate the potential fall hazard for toddlers. No the fence is just where the level change is, there are no gates. Council playgrounds are only fenced if there is a potential hazard such as a busy road, carpark, water, bike path, steep drop, sportsground or off leash dog exercise area nearby. Alternatives such as plants are used if appropriate. Facilities such as seating and shade are provided to encourage an appropriate level of supervision by carers GENERAL 6.01 Needs to address the wider area, including bike paths, picnic area & space behind the incinerator cafe. (1) This project is specifically a playground upgrade. The rest forms part of a future plan The amphitheatre is a waste of space. (1) The amphitheatre is beyond the scope of this project The playground still seems a bit boring. (2) Additional play items have been integrated Be a few less little places to explore and to allow for some decent, more substantial play equipment. (1) 6.05 Reusing some of the inaccessible overgrown areas between the existing path and road is good. (1) 6.06 Could the varying levels allow for some low cantilevering platforms or other fixed elements that enable creative play and for children to test themselves? (1) Larger play items have been This has been incorporated in the design. The level change has been incorporated in the design with an embankment slide and climbing ropes. Additional play equipment has been 6.07 There does not seem to be a great deal of innovative play equipment. (1) 6.08 It needs way more equipment to play on! (1) More equipment has been added It seems to be missing the children bike track. (2) The children s bike track will be retained. It is just not shown on this plan It's still very spread out but that's the layout of the park I guess. (1) The spacing is necessary to provide adequate fall zones and to separate play areas.

4 6.11 We would prefer the funds be spent on other matters such as the appalling lack of parking areas in Willoughby / Crows Nest, near St Leonards railway station and Crows Nest shopping precinct. (1) 6.12 Minor upgrades to toilet block for cleanliness and hygiene. (1) This area is part of North Sydney Council and is beyond Council s boundaries. This is beyond the scope of this project. To be addressed by maintenance GROUNDCOVER MATERIAL 7.01 Natural looking ground cover solution. (1) As per Council s standard approach, 7.02 Too much wet pour rubber. Improve drainage and use natural materials. (1) a combination of wet pour rubber for high wear areas and to enable accessibility, in combination with organic mulch is proposed as the groundcover material for the play space PLANTING 8.01 Fig tree not required, would attract bats. (1) The revised plan does not include additional fig tree plantings. Is there anything else you would like to see added to the play space? 1.00 PLAY ITEMS 1.01 More swings (13) Additional swings have been added 1.02 Some interesting swings would also be great, like a 2 person glider swing or pony swings. (1) (total 5) including a basket swing Basket swings (2) 1.04 Install an expression swing. (1) 1.05 More slides. (11) More slides have been added 1.06 A large tunnel slide. (2) (total 3) Long slippery dip. (2) 1.08 Rocket slide. (1) 1.09 Specific slide area. (1) 1.10 Flying fox (9) A flying fox has been added Specific toddler area and equipment. (4) Toddler equipment has been grouped together Consider a skateboard / scooter facility. (2) There is not enough space and it is not a suggested location in the Skateboard Plan of Management Retain stone sculptures. (2) Stone sculptures have been retained Include a tunnel/s. (1) They are not included in this park but 1.15 Install a donut twirly. (1) are available at Willoughby Park In-ground trampoline. (1) Not included in this park Chess set. (1) Security of chess pieces makes this not feasible Something mechanical (treadmill?) to show kids how things work. (1) Not included in this park Swiss family Robinson treehouse, with rope bridge, slides, ladders, something like the nice timber structure at the Berry island Reserve park in Wollstonecraft. (1) The fort structure has some of these characteristics Low balancing beams or ropes. (1) Not included in this park Helicopter bike pedals. (1) 1.22 An encaged structure that passes through trees a bit like a large cat run that finishes in a tube slide? (1) 1.23 Merry-go-round (1) Requires too much maintenance.

5 1.24 Ride on toys; diggers, trains, planes. (1) Does not fit in with the zoo theme of the park Wobbly bridge. (1) Not included in this park Balancing stepping stones / upright logs. (1) Not included in this park See-saw. (1) A see-saw element has been 1.28 Fireman s pole. (1) Not included in this park Sand pit for crawling babies. (1) A sandpit has been retained Incorporate existing dinosaur. (1) The music-o-saurus has been retained CLIMBING EQUIPMENT 2.01 Climbing equipment for children of different ages. (6) More climbing equipment has been 2.02 A more extensive climbing tower/ network. (2) included in the form of ropes attached 2.03 Monkey bars (2) to the fort structure and climbing 2.04 Jungle-gym climbing structure. (1) ropes up the embankment Big rope/net castle. (1) 2.06 Climbing wall (1) Climbing ropes and a net structure 2.07 Use more equipment to join to upper and lower levels. (1) have been A slide and ropes connect the upper and lower slope WATER PLAY 3.01 Another 1 or 2 pumps are highly desirable. (1) The water play area has been 3.02 Fix swale and water play area. (1) upgraded with a new hand pump MUSICAL ELEMENTS 4.01 Musical instruments. (1) Percussion drums have been 4.02 Musical castanets (1) 4.03 Bells that children can jump on. (1) 4.04 Remove sounds emitting from sculptures. (1) The sound sensors are a popular feature and have been retained SPACE BEHIND INCINERATOR 5.01 Use the space behind the incinerator. (4) This area is beyond the scope of this 5.02 Massive slide behind incinerator. (3) project Convert area behind incinerator into a pond to attract native birds. (1) 5.04 Include a space where children's art could be exhibited behind incinerator. (1) 5.05 A little outdoor amphitheatre near cafe for book readings or performances (toddlers - 8years old?) (1) BIKE CIRCUIT 6.01 Installations along bike track eg. Café, fuel station. (2) 6.02 A gate at the entrances and exits of the little bikeriding circuit. (1) 6.03 Kid sized "traffic lights" and stop signs for scooter track. (1) Beyond the scope of this project. Beyond the scope of this project. Beyond the scope of this project SAFETY 7.01 Better fencing, particularly on the road side. (6) The fencing on the road side has 7.02 There should be some fenced area for safety. (2) been extended Enclosed area for smaller kids. (2) Council playgrounds are only fenced if there is a potential hazard such as a busy road, carpark, water, bike path, steep drop, sportsground or off leash dog exercise area nearby.

6 Facilities such as seating and shade are provided to encourage an appropriate level of supervision by carers Appropriate lighting / cameras for safety. (1) There is already lighting in the park Picnic table too close to roadway. (1) The picnic table has not moved PLANTING 8.01 Use shade loving natives (Doryanthes, Cyathea, Viola hed., etc to give that lower planted area some rainforest flavour. (1) 8.02 The lower part of the swale (on the southern side of the path) is a missed opportunity - planting and rocks would make this area more interesting. (1) These species are to be considered in the detailed design. This area is to be considered in the detailed design Opportunity for Bush foods. (1) These species are to be considered 8.04 Perhaps a couple of Backhousia cit., etc with some educational signage could add depth to other parts? (1) in the detailed design GENERAL REQUESTS 9.01 More challenging play options for older children aged 8 to 12. (Maybe use the space behind the incinerator for this option.) (7) 9.02 Separated play equipment for younger and older children. (1) 9.03 Cluster the play equipment together for families with children of different ages. (1) 9.04 Small enclosed (soft) field play area near the playing field. (1) A flying fox and longer slide have been included to the east of the main play area. Equipment has been clustered together based on target age. There is not room for a dedicated enclosed space Maintain the same design and appearance (1) The same layout and use of natural materials is to be continued More equipment (1) Additional equipment has been 9.07 More variety and general expansion. (1) The play area has been expanded east and west A bit too big. (1) The playground only uses a portion of the park Something clever, quirky, unique. (1) These elements are to be incorporated in the detail More stepping stone paths through the bush would be fun. (1) More stepping stone paths have been added SEATING More seating (for adults). (9) More seating options for adults have A couple of large boulders for parents to perch on while watching the kids play. (1) been added Less money spent on leaf and mushroom seats which serve no purpose and more on things for the children to play with. (1) Customised seating elements have been replaced with off-the-shelf items FACILITIES Covered play and picnic area (for rain). (3) There is already one gazebo to provide shelter for rain. The trees provide some shelter for the play equipment More/better BBQ & seating facilities for groups. (2) There are already 2 BBQ s provided and 5 picnic tables Bubbler. (2) An accessible bubbler has been Install exercise equipment near the playground. (2) As one of Willoughby s regional

7 11.05 Appropriate shaded areas if play areas exposed to sun. (1) The footpath near the toilets - on southern end - requires a grate - so when it rains the water and silt wash away and do not cause a collection point. (1) A safe crossing closer to the playground (nearest crossings are at Willoughby Road and at the Leisure Centre). (1) playgrounds the focus is on the play rather than exercise. The playground is shaded by existing established trees. Council s policy is not to provide shade sails. Investigate improving drainage to this area. Investigate in collaboration with traffic team.

Robert Street Park Landscape Improvements Plan. Robert Street, Artarmon

Robert Street Park Landscape Improvements Plan Robert Street, Artarmon Community Consultation Summary Report October 2014 Communication Methods... 1 Respondents... 2 Comments Received... 3 (Edited from