Virginia Ryan Park Play Renewal

Update: Virginia Ryan Park Play Renewal is complete!

Inspired by the colours and floral design elements featured on the Virginia Ryan Park entry signage, the custom playground creates a unique identity that reflects the character of the park. The new play space includes a double slide, balance trail, monkey bars, sensory play features, and natural elements such as limestone and timber to encourage active and imaginative play.

Accessibility has been a key consideration in the design, with the combination play unit featuring ramped access connected directly to the surrounding footpath network. This provides improved opportunities for children and visitors with mobility limitations to access and enjoy the play equipment.

The completed playground reflects the ideas and aspirations shared by the community during consultation and provides a welcoming space for families and visitors to enjoy for years to come.

In addition to the playground improvements, the project has delivered significant landscaping enhancements across the park, including:

• 27 native trees planted
• 3,333 native tubestock shrubs planted
• Hydrozoning of turf areas to reduce long-term water consumption within the park

These improvements will help enhance the park’s natural environment, increase shade and biodiversity, and support more sustainable water use.

The completion of the Virginia Ryan Park Playground Upgrade represents an important investment in community recreation, accessibility and environmental sustainability, creating an inviting destination for residents of all ages.

Thanks again for your participation in this play renewal project, we hope you enjoy the upgraded playground!

You can view the new playground designs and photos, as well as read the engagement report via the Key Documents section below.

We’re upgrading the playground at Virginia Ryan Park — help us choose a new play design.

Virginia Ryan Park is a hidden gem nestled in Fremantle, offering a peaceful retreat with mature trees and open lawn areas. Tucked away but easily accessible from Watkin Street and Bolton Way, the striking entry sign welcomes visitors to the park with its distinctive design. Whether you’re seeking a quiet spot to read, take a leisurely stroll, or simply enjoy the beauty of Fremantle’s outdoor environment, Virginia Ryan offers a perfect escape for families, furry friends and locals.

The City's Projects & Place Team has received capital works funding in the 2025/26 budget to upgrade play equipment and enhance Virginia Ryan Park to better serve its local community. Your input will help to ensure the playground replacement meets the needs of all those who enjoy Virginia Ryan. Based on community ideas and needs, as well as the budget, a playground design will be developed, with delivery scheduled for completion within the 2025/26 financial year.

The scope of this park project includes:

• Replacement of the existing swing and playground equipment at Virginia Ryan Park, which are over 20 years old.
• Exploring options for hydro-zoning works and winter planting of native vegetation under areas of trees along the edge of the park, this will be happening in 2026.

How can the community influence the project?

We are asking the public to:

• Learn more about the scope of the Virgina Ryan play renewal project by exploring the Frequently Asked Questions and explainer documents listed below.
• Share what you currently love about the park and what replacement play designs are most suitable by completing the Virginia Ryan Park Play Renewal Survey.
• View the associated materials, talk to City officers and provide feedback in person at the Virginia Ryan Park Drop-In-Session (details below)

How can you meet with City Officers to discuss the park upgrade and your feedback?

• Attend the drop-in session: Drop-in sessions allow the public to meet with City staff to ask questions about the project, seek clarification and guidance on how to best submit feedback. These are informal sessions that allow the public to come and go during the time period provided. To learn more, visit our How We Engage page here.
• Request a 1:1 or group meeting with city staff to discuss your thoughts.

Join the Virginia Ryan Park drop-in session at the following date and time:

• When: Saturday 26 July 2025
• Where: Virginia Ryan Park (adjacent to playground)
• Time: 9:00 am - 10:30am

City Officers aim to:

• Work with the community on the design of replacement play equipment for Virginia Ryan that best suits their needs.
  
• Collect feedback on the current park amenity and key elements where further improvements could be made if more funding becomes available.
• Keep you informed, listen to and acknowledge concerns and provide feedback on how public input influenced the project.
• Work with you to ensure that your concerns and aspirations are noted; provide clarity on questions that may arise.