Dick Lawrence Oval Playspace Renewal

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We're planning a renewal of the playspace at Dick Lawrence Oval (Beaconsfield) to make sure it meets the needs of all users.

As part of the City's ten year playspace renewal program, the play equipment at Dick Lawrence Oval is due for replacement. We're interested in how you'd like to use this space and new equipment, and also what location would suit you best.


Final concept

In October/November 2020 we asked for your input into the location and style of replacement play facilities you’d like to see in this space. We heard from over 60 people and the most highly ranked activities were nature play and climbing, with Location A being the most preferred space.

All of the input received was used as the basis for the concept design which includes:

  • Large two-level cubby with slides and ramp access for inclusive play
  • Large natural timber climbing element with a variety of challenges, the ‘Moreton Climber’
  • Nature play elements with balance beams, steppers, timber poles and large fallen logs for climbing
  • Tall timber ‘squeeze through’ poles, large feature boulders and timber stepper access through garden bed
  • The 'Thongafone' for percussion play
  • Natural timber top sand play table with sand pulley and seating log
  • Basket swing over rubber softfall for inclusive play access

Other upgrades include:

  • A new garden bed providing a protective vegetated buffer around the playground to help separate the playspace from dog walking areas
  • Wide, accessible concrete path linking ACROD parking behind the clubrooms into the playground and picnic areas
  • A small scooter/skate berm at the end of the path for wheeled play fun
  • Accessible picnic tables
  • Relocation of rubbish bin

Location A was the preferred option and has been chosen for reasons such as proximity to facilities and existing shade, and others which you can find out more about in the engagement report. However many people also saw the value of a potential youth zone at Location B, and this will be considered during masterplanning of Hilton Reserve which is expected to occur in the next 1-2 years.


You can explore the concept plan below or download a copy by clicking here.


Share your feedback on the draft concept before 5.00pm Monday 22 February 2021.


We're planning a renewal of the playspace at Dick Lawrence Oval (Beaconsfield) to make sure it meets the needs of all users.

As part of the City's ten year playspace renewal program, the play equipment at Dick Lawrence Oval is due for replacement. We're interested in how you'd like to use this space and new equipment, and also what location would suit you best.


Final concept

In October/November 2020 we asked for your input into the location and style of replacement play facilities you’d like to see in this space. We heard from over 60 people and the most highly ranked activities were nature play and climbing, with Location A being the most preferred space.

All of the input received was used as the basis for the concept design which includes:

  • Large two-level cubby with slides and ramp access for inclusive play
  • Large natural timber climbing element with a variety of challenges, the ‘Moreton Climber’
  • Nature play elements with balance beams, steppers, timber poles and large fallen logs for climbing
  • Tall timber ‘squeeze through’ poles, large feature boulders and timber stepper access through garden bed
  • The 'Thongafone' for percussion play
  • Natural timber top sand play table with sand pulley and seating log
  • Basket swing over rubber softfall for inclusive play access

Other upgrades include:

  • A new garden bed providing a protective vegetated buffer around the playground to help separate the playspace from dog walking areas
  • Wide, accessible concrete path linking ACROD parking behind the clubrooms into the playground and picnic areas
  • A small scooter/skate berm at the end of the path for wheeled play fun
  • Accessible picnic tables
  • Relocation of rubbish bin

Location A was the preferred option and has been chosen for reasons such as proximity to facilities and existing shade, and others which you can find out more about in the engagement report. However many people also saw the value of a potential youth zone at Location B, and this will be considered during masterplanning of Hilton Reserve which is expected to occur in the next 1-2 years.


You can explore the concept plan below or download a copy by clicking here.


Share your feedback on the draft concept before 5.00pm Monday 22 February 2021.

  • Pause in Construction Progress for Dick Lawrence Oval Playground.

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    For those following the progress of the Dick Lawrence Oval Playground, we have unfortunately had to pause work with the landscaping contractor due to the playground manufacturer experiencing delays sourcing materials and hiring of contractors to build the fort - which will be the main play item at the playground.

    This has held the project up until the New Year as we didn’t want to expose tree roots over the Christmas break, in case we had a hot spell and the trees would become water stressed.

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  • Stage Two Engagement Compiled

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    Thank you to all those who commented on the concept plan for a new playspace at Dick Lawrence Oval. The engagement findings have been compiled and are ready to view in the document library.

    What we heard

    There were 343 visits to the My Say Freo page and 9 people provided a submission. Feedback was overwhelmingly positive with almost everyone expressing support for the upgrades and/or gratitude for the renewal.

    Some people wanted to see a path all the way around the oval, or to the oval. This is outside the scope of the renewal, however the small path within the playspace will be modified slightly to accommodate a short round trip on a scooter. These comments will also be considered in the Hilton Reserve masterplanning process which will take place in the coming years and look at connectivity around the entire Hilton Sports Park precinct.

    A number of respondents also requested water play. The infrastructure to support this type of play is costly and would require the sacrifice of many other play items, so it's only considered if there's a huge demand. In stage one we heard that nature play and climbing were the most popular types of play for this site, so those have been prioritised.

    Seating was also raised. While outside the scope of the playspace renewal, provision for new bench seats with backs and arms has been made in the 2021/22 budget and is expected to be installed after the playspace is complete.

    For more details about what we heard and how the comments were considered, view the engagement findings here.

    Next steps

    Based on the feedback, the small path within the playspace will be modified, and no other major adjustments are required. Other minor adjustments may occur throughout the procurement and construction phases.

    Federal funding has been obtained for this project and is anticipated to be finalised by Council in March 2021. The detailed design documents will now be completed and play space construction is anticipated to begin in June/July 2021.

    Any further updates will be available on this page. Thank you again for your contribution to this project.

  • Stage One Engagement Compiled

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    by Rhiannon,

    Thanks to everyone who participated in stage one of community engagement on the renewal of Dick Lawrence play space. Some key findings are:

    • Nature play was the most popular activity, followed by climbing.

    • The preferred style is natural / nature play mixed with more ‘traditional’ equipment including challenging equipment like monkey bars and climbing.

    • Location A (current location) was preferred by the majority of participants, but the reasons why are important to understand (see full report). A group of people don’t mind about the location and some would prefer location B.

    • People that would use the play space also come to the oval as: a destination for a walk, a place to gather or meet (group size for friends / family), to exercise the dog and for informal exercise.

    • Separating dogs and children is a key concern for many participants.

    There were many more findings and lots of useful information provided. The full engagement report is available here or from the document library.

    This input will now be used by the landscape architects to develop a draft concept for the new play space at Dick Lawrence Oval. Once this is ready for your feedback we will notify all participants and also make it available here on My Say Freo. This is expected to be in early February 2021.

  • Share Your Thoughts

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    by Rhiannon,

    If you or your family use this playspace we'd like to hear from you.

    You can drop-in to the current Dick Lawrence playspace (Shepherd Street) Saturday 31 October 2020, any time between 10.00am-12.00pm to share your thoughts.

    You can also share your ideas and thoughts on My Say Freo by Sunday 15 November 2020.

Page last updated: 20 December 2021, 14:04