Poppy Kettle Playground has re-opened in time for Christmas following the installation of a new slide and the completion of maintenance works.
The playground, situated to the west of Cunningham Pier, is packed with children’s play equipment and picnic amenities, while also offering easy access to waterfront cafes, the City’s colourful bollard trail walk and the historic Carousel.
The maintenance work and installation of the new slide followed on from minor repair work earlier this year.
The playground is well known for the interactive Poppy Kettle water fountains and miniature statues, situated among a rock area.
This unique feature was inspired by the children’s book, ‘Voyage of the Poppy Kettle’ written by local author, Robert Ingpen, giving the park a magical quality and proving a source of attraction for many visiting children.
The interactive playground now includes a new tubular slide that winds down the hill, complementing a boat atop the sand pit, bouncers, a dragon emerging from the ground, a timber tower, swing, and a unique pyramid climbing net.
Additional water play elements feature over the summer months, ensuring the site will be a popular place to visit throughout the Christmas holidays.
Greater Geelong Mayor Trent Sullivan thanked community members for their patience through the repair phase and installation of the new slide.
“This space has long been regarded as one of Geelong’s premier playgrounds for locals and visitors alike,” he said.
“We appreciate the support of the community in patiently waiting for the re-opening of the Poppy Kettle Playground; it’s clearly very timely given that Christmas is almost upon us, and the weather is really warming up.
“As a Council we’re pleased to be able to deliver upgrades and new additions to the space and look forward to families enjoying the facilities throughout summer and in the years to come.”
Brownbill Ward Councillor Melissa Cadwell said the Council was delighted to be able to deliver improvements to one of Geelong’s most popular play spaces.
“The playground has forged a reputation over a long time as an ideal spot for families to meet and play,” she said.
“Along with catering for local families, the Poppy Kettle Playground attracts a lot of visitors due to its fantastic location overlooking Corio Bay.
“It was really important that we continued to provide up-to-date equipment and activities for a range of age groups.”
Poppy Kettle Playground is one of over 380 playgrounds across the City of Greater Geelong.
