The inclusive playspace at Riverside Park in Swan Hill provides fun and excitement for every child in a playful wonderland located on the banks of the Murray River in Victoria.
Site: Riverside Park, Monash Drive, Swan Hill, Victoria 3585
Client: Swan Hill Rural City Council
Age Range: from 1 year old
Year: 2022
At Proludic, inclusion is a key aspect of our philosophy because we believe that all children should have access to play and to the same play facilities. We were delighted when Swan Hill Rural City Council invited us to design and install a new inclusive playspace within the adventure playground at Riverside Park. Learn more about the adventure playground here.
The new inclusive play area features a wide range of innovative and accessible play equipment suitable for children of all abilities. With sensory play equipment, an inclusive hammock swing, and an accessible custom-designed multiplay unit that provides children with over 46 play activities, there is something for everyone.
Diabolo Multiplay Equipment
Proludic’s expertise in inclusive design has been employed to put every “body” at the heart of the play experience. A key playground unit is the custom-designed J38201-C Diabolo Multiplay, which can accommodate up to 37 children with a wide range of abilities. The Diabolo’s design adds to a palette of rich visual and sensory stimulation, delighting both the users and visitors at the inclusive play area.
The Diabolo comprises welcoming and accessible design features such as multiple easy-access entrances, sturdy floors and a wide, gently sloping ramp to accommodate people with special mobility needs. Both children and accompanying adults can share the experience and joy of playing together in and around the Diabolo.
The Diabolo not only provides ample opportunities for physical play, but also includes puzzles and interesting affordances that encourage children to problem-solve, and pair up to engage in fun activities together that help develop their social skills and cognitive ability.
The “Floating Steps” bridge provides an adventurous balancing experience that allows children to fine-tune their motor skills and coordination. They gain independence as they take part in the challenge of navigating from one side of the suspended walkway to the other. The Play Trail provides another series of balancing activities, and the double width slide has plenty of room for everyone.
Several fun activities based on visual effects such as a telescope, coloured portholes and binoculars are also included. They allow children to explore different visual features such as colour, contrast, shapes, distance and optical illusions. These activities stimulate curiosity and memory, improving concentration to help assimilate details, or understand colour associations.
Musical and Sensory Equipment
Sensory play equipment offers physical, cognitive, and emotional benefits as children experiment with sound, touch and sight, developing creativity and social connections.
Proludic’s Sensory Flowers (J3418) offer a multi-sensory play experience for all users. In a vibrant complementary colour design, each tactile play “flower” includes a central rotating section which emits a unique sound and visual pattern. To provide an optimal user-friendly experience, each “stem” is curved outwards to ensure the play equipment is easily accessible to children in wheelchairs.
The Tubophones (J3410) are sound amplifying tubes that enable communication across the playground. They encourage fun experimentation with sound and social interaction between playground users.
The large Babel Drum invites percussive music-making in the outdoor playspace – an opportunity for joyful sharing, musical experimentation and socialising. Musical activities support the development of a child’s cognitive abilities and help improve their self-esteem. This stainless steel tongue drum with pentatonic tuning is played with the hands and beautiful melodies with long sustain can be created.
Playing with sand
Playing with sand is a universally popular activity for all ages and brings a wealth of benefits to children – sensory stimulation, evolution of fine motor skills and creativity, communication and cooperation with others, understanding cause and effect, weight and texture.
The Sand Factory (J5000-M) has a trail of activities where children transport sand from one work station to the next, encouraging communication and cooperation.
Trampolines
In-ground playground trampolines are fun and easy to use. They help children develop motor skills, muscle strength, coordination and balance. On the two Round Trampolines (R34-ETP-004) children can sit on the mat and bounce gently, or jump up high and reach for the sky!
Swings and Roundabouts
Swings are an all-time playground favourite for good reason – they are great fun! They can be used gently or vigorously, and repetition of swinging movements can have a calming effect on children. With stimulation to the vestibular senses, along with socialising, swings bring a wealth of benefits to all.
The innovative and inclusive Early Years Basket Swing (J443) is set at a low height for easy access, and allows for a lying or sitting position. The plaited design of the rope basket seat, and the specially designed connection points, improve user comfort.
Rotating equipment provides good sensory and motor stimulation, and allows children to experience speed safely. The Inclusive Whirlwind (J2403) includes supportive handles, recessed seating and a backrest to help children feel safe and secure whilst spinning. You can sit or stand, spin fast or slow, and have fun with a friend.
The Hip Hop (J2410) provides the ultimate spinning and bouncing fun! Sitting opposite a friend, children gain confidence as they test their sense of balance and experiment with speed.
The new inclusive playspace provides a highly accessible, fun, educational and vibrant environment for all – including those with additional support needs – to play and grow at Riverside Park Adventure Playground.
Learn more about our inclusive play equipment and the design of inclusive play areas here.
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