Walyalup Koort Play Space

The City of Fremantle has been successful in securing a $342,000 grant from Lotterywest to go towards the new play space in Kings Square. You can read more in the media release by clicking here or visiting: www.fremantle.wa.gov.au/news-and-media/3082019-lotterywest-comes-play-kings-square

The concept design for the new play space in Kings Square was endorsed by council on 28 February 2018, as part of the overall concept design for the public space upgrade.

Read the full report on the play space concept design below

Kings Square Play Space Concept Design

The draft concept is expected to be presented to council in February as one of a number of major elements in the broader public space renewal program.

Following approval by council, the play space project will move into the detailed design and documentation phase.

Many thanks to the kids and families who shared their ideas to help us plan for a new children's play space for the Kings Square redevelopment.

We received many contributions that gave us some great information about what kinds of play activities are most preferred, specific things people would like to see included and key design considerations.

This is what you told us:

What would you like to do most in the Kings Square play space?
The top three selections from local school children were: climbing, water play and swinging.
The top three selections from parents were: water play, climbing and being in nature.

Through their worksheets and models, local school children expressed a preference for the following play elements:
Climbing (including ladders), sliding, trees (including treehouses and cubby), flying fox/ zip-line (speed), stepping stones (balancing), water elements.

Parent and carer's responses across the ideas board showed clear preferences for: water play, natural elements (including use of recycled materials, making use of the trees, keeping elements simple to inspire imagination).

Elements to include for inclusion (specifically autism spectrum) include: tactile elements, activities that use and develop gross motor skills and cause and effect/motivation.

Underpinning the overall design are two key considerations that were raised frequently in our discussion with parents:
Flexible space – “give it a festival feel and mix it up” ideas included accommodating children’s events, library activities, creative or drama activities and concerts.
Design for multi-ages – elements for little ones but also consider older siblings and teens; make it a multi-generational space where people can mix informally.

Other considerations raised were: safety and security, refreshments nearby and shade / shelter.

We will now use this data to develop a draft concept design for the new play space, which we'll present to the community early 2018.

Come to the Fremantle Library to see the ideas of nearly 170 local school students for the new Kings Square play space.

Jean Hobson recently visited the Library and said: “I’m really impressed with the ideas I’ve already seen from local school children and I expect before the end of this process there’ll be a lot more come in!”.

Mrs Hobson said she was pleased a new generation of local children and their parents are helping design a brand new play space in the city centre.

The school workshop ideas will be on display until 24 October 2017.

The current playground in Kings Square is named after prominent local identity and former Fremantle Deputy Mayor Jean Hobson. Jean was instrumental in encouraging other Councillors of the day to support the playground. We were delighted to meet her recently and learn more about the back story to the Kings Square playground. See the original press clipping from its naming 1992.

We had a great time working with students from five local schools on design ideas for the new space. See our photo gallery for more images of these events and check out their ideas on display at Fremantle Library until 24 October 2017.