We Asked

Packer Park playground is one of Council’s eight municipal level playgrounds. The playground is getting an upgrade and we asked you in September 2021 what you would like to see there. We asked what play equipment you value in the playground, what play equipment you would like included in a new playground and what you think about the picnic facilities, trees, and plants around the existing playground.

You Said

During phase one of community consultation, we received 222 survey responses.

You told us your main aspirations for the playground are to have a larger play area, with plenty of shade, that caters for children of all ages and abilities, with suitable play for younger children, more challenging play for older kids and multiple options for accessible play integrated into the playground as well.

You told us the play equipment you most value in the existing playground includes the swings, giant net climber, slides, tunnels, climbers, and musical deck bells. You also said you would like to see water play, nature play and imaginative play included, as well as a new sandpit, flying fox, trampoline, additional swings and more plants and trees.

Some of you also commented that the large existing Manna Gum is a special feature that should be retained.

We Did

A concept design to upgrade the Packer Park playground has been developed based on the feedback received during phase one of community consultation as well as Council’s Planning for Play guidelines.

The proposed design extends the play area to provide a diverse range of activities and equipment, integrating all-ability play and universal access to meet the needs of different age groups, skill levels and abilities. The new playground consists of interconnected zones including: the area conserving the existing Manna Gum; the senior play area; sensory play area; junior play area; and flying fox. It also incorporates additional natural and artificial shade as well as additional garden bed planting.

The playground design shifts all play elements out from beneath the canopy of the large existing Manna Gum, to improve the conditions for the tree by planting the area below. The senior play area features a challenging tree walk unit to get up high between the tree canopies.

The sensory play area in the centre of the playground includes a large Pobblebonk frog sculpture, a wheelchair accessible sandpit and additional water play, building on the existing paved trickle stream. A new seating deck near the picnic area reuses the bells from the original playground.

The junior play zone is situated near the existing picnic area and provides traditional play elements for younger children, numerous accessible play equipment items as well as changing landforms for interest and variety. The flying fox borders the playground on the east side and provides an exciting element along this edge.

We would like to know what you think of the concept design. Click here to see a flythrough of the concept design https://vimeo.com/672584840. The plans and artist impressions of the proposed playground are available from this page.

The community engagement survey is open until Monday 7 March 2022. Please take the time to complete the survey below.

If you have any question please contact the Recreation & Open Space Team at recservices@gleneira.vic.gov.au or 9524 3333.