The new playground at Victory Square Reserve is a beautiful nature-inspired play space within an urban park featuring our Origin’ nature play equipment.
Site: Victory Square Reserve, 27 Ashleigh Road, Armadale, Victoria 3143
Client: City of Stonnington / Landscape Architect: GHDWoodhead / Contractor: Glascott Landscape
Age Range: from 0.5 year old
Opened: May 2020
Following extensive community consultation, Victory Square recently underwent a major upgrade as part of the delivery of Toorak Park & Victory Square Masterplan, endorsed by The City of Stonnington. The enhancements included a new playground and landscape improvement works that foster nature play opportunities and interest in the natural environment.
The new playspace features an Origin’ Multiplay unit (J4939) from one of Proludic’s nature play ranges. The Origin’ play equipment harmoniously integrates into the designed features of the park setting.
Play value, naturally
The design of the Origin’ play equipment combines innovation with the use of a natural living material – Robinia wood. Children’s senses are stimulated through the look and feel of the Robinia play structure. The functions and play activities found in the Origin’ Multiplay unit replicate and extend the play opportunities found in nature – balancing, climbing, crossing a flat or curved surface, moving from one position to another, anticipating distances and sizes.
Designed for use by children from 2 years of age, a staircase provides easy access to the “toddler” section of this large structure. Older children with more confidence and physical skills can climb into the older kids section via the sloping ramp with log battens, or up the more challenging ladder. The careful design of the Origin’ structure with graduated challenges ensures children are able to safely “take risks” as they explore the structure and their capabilities.
The techniques needed to negotiate the irregularly shaped climbing wall are more varied and complex, and involve developing spatial awareness and dexterity. A little bit of courage, first, to step off the safety of the ground or elevated platform, then coordination, stamina and self-control are needed to master the climbing equipment. Appearing to be randomly distributed the timber slats have been designed in accordance with safety standards.
The playspace also features a Proludic timber 2-Bay Swing set (custom J452) with a variety of seats enabling children of different ages the joy and fun of swinging together. Areas of wetpour rubber safety surfacing provide level access to the swings and Origin’ play equipment, contributing to a more inclusive play environment for all.
Other designed features in the playspace such as rocks and logs provide even more opportunities for children to play and interact with natural elements.
The picket fencing and arbours in the playground commemorate the history of the site where war widows’ housing was located after the first world war. The arbours reflect the architecture of the widows’ housing and provide a playful “shop front” for children to run and play through. New park furniture, upgraded pathways, new trees and planting contribute to the creation of a comfortable place for children and families to play and relax together.
Victory Square Playground has received very positive feedback from the community and the City of Stonnington.
Watch our video of Victory Square Playground and our Origin’ Multiplay in action below:
Discover more about our Origin’ range of nature play equipment HERE.
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