FAQ

The current combination unit in the park is over twenty years old and needs to be be renewed as part of playground works across the City of Fremantle.

As expectations of playgrounds have changed over this time the City would like to understand the local community's preferences for the style of renewal. The City would like to consider the surrounding space as well, with a small budget available to achieve a more integrated renewal. For example, some areas could be expanded and smaller elements relocated if that would make the space more integrated or meet a range of users. The aim is to achieve an integrated renewal that meets the needs of the local community.

Based on the community ideas and needs, as well as the budget, a concept design will be developed by a landscape architect and presented for feedback.

We will be gathering input from the online survey, drop-in session plus other targeted sessions with various age groups.

The community ideas and needs we hear will be developed into a concept design by a landscape architect. This will be presented back to the community for feedback, before being amended as required and implemented. 

The installation stage will be dependent on what the final design contains, updates will be provided. You can check on the current status on the main project page under 'lifecycle'.

There is a fixed budget of $75,000 for the playground and park for the 2018/19 financial year. There is also an additional $5,000 for replacement of the basketball board and hoops.

For example, this budget could cover play equipment and other facilities plus relocation of small items such as seating. It would not allow for the relocation or addition of high-cost items such as lighting or BBQs.

The two jarrah trees have been monitored by the City's horticultural staff over a number of years but are deteriorating with age. The City has undertaken new planting nearby to prepare for the future. Until this time they will continue to be managed and in the future could have other uses, for example the tree next to the basketball court which is now a  wooden feature.

Leading up to this project residents had requested the hoops at Grigg Park be upgraded to full height as older children / teenagers could not use the under height hoops. The courts at the local primary school are also no longer accessible to the public or outside school hours. Through the engagement a few people expressed that the low hoops are suitable for younger kids. 

The team extensively researched ways to provide both short and full height basketball rings but was unable to find any products that are manufactured. While suppliers manufacture units with a (same height) netball hoop on the back none were found that manufacture a lower height on the back (the current lower height has just been installed lower in the ground). 

Reversible units are not suitable for a public park as they require a key/pole to adjust/ rotate or are built for indoor/private use and not vandal proof. A custom unit and extending the bitumen area would cost double the available budget, there are also a number of trees in the space behind the rings. As a result, the new hoops will be full height hoops 

Working with the available space and budget the City could only supply one style of swing. The basket swing was chosen as they are recognised as catering to all ages and abilities, they also encourage social interaction.  

For some interesting case studies on intergenerational use of basket swings see the best practice design recommendations in the 'Everyone Can Play' guide.