Playspace opens soon

AFTER years of disability community advocacy, I am so proud to share that the new Rippleside Playspace ­– a Livvi’s Place Project ­– is almost ready to open.

This is something I have enthusiastically supported since a vision for this project was first raised in 2019.

The City has partnered with the Touched by Olivia Foundation, Quintessential, and received generous funding support from the Federal and State Governments to build a flagship new play area for children of all abilities at Rippleside Park.

I am proud of the City of Greater Geelong for our $1.725 million contribution in response to our community’s ongoing championing of this project.

The original wooden playground, built in 2001, was removed last year after reaching the end of its lifespan.

Wooden pickets made up the boundary fence carrying the names of the families and community members who purchased them as part of a crowdfunding initiative to fund the original playground’s initial construction.

When the playground was removed, the pickets were retained and returned to donors. It was fantastic to see the community claiming their pickets, a real full circle moment before the park moved into its next exciting chapter.

For more than two decades Rippleside has been a welcoming space for local families and a handy rest stop for those travelling through Geelong.

In its next chapter, the park will cater to more families and children than ever before, with accessibility and inclusivity as the primary consideration for the build.

The design includes a range of elements for children with mobility challenges, including a unique climbing structure with a range of climbing challenges, high slides, and flying foxes and swings.

The park also now features accessible toilets and a changing places facility.

The fully fenced playspace boasts a suite of elements that support neurodivergent children or those with sensory sensitivities.

The playground has a range of communication panels featuring pictograms and Auslan diagrams to help children communicate how they would like to play and enjoy the space.

This is a fantastic tool that can offer children full communication range when visiting the park.

There are also a variety of sensory and artistic elements within the space including sound, smell, touch and kinaesthetic awareness, water and sand areas for exploration and quiet zones to decompress.

Our team has worked with Access Ability Australia to produce an ‘access key’ – a document that families and carers can use to explore the accessibility features of the park.

This key will be accessible via the Rippleside Park page on our City website, and via a QR code on the conditions of entry signage on site.

This will be an incredibly helpful tool for families and carers across Greater Geelong.

As chair of the Accessibility and Inclusion portfolio, I can’t begin to express what a space like this means for the children of our city.

It means our youth will all have the opportunity to play in a safe environment that fosters inclusion, creativity and exploration.

I can’t wait to see this playspace opened soon, and for it to be enjoyed by children and families of all abilities for years to come.

I wish to personally thank all who have contributed to the project, whether through the design, build or just being a supportive member of the community who cares for Rippleside Park.

Cr Anthony Aitken

Corio Ward,

City of Greater Geelong