After more than five years of planning, community engagement and fundraising, the Rippleside Inclusive Playspace is now open to the public.
Designed in consultation with the local community to be accessible to children of all ages and abilities, the playspace includes bespoke inclusive play equipment, Changing Places toilets and gathering and picnic areas including barbecue facilities.
Play equipment includes steel structures, climbing challenges, bridges and slides, as well as sand and water play areas, an in-ground trampoline, sensory wall, swings and a flying fox.
Replacing the much-loved Rippleside playground that opened in 2001, the playspace has been developed as a partnership between the Touched By Olivia Foundation, the federal and state governments, the City of Greater Geelong (CoGG) and developer Quintessential.
Touched By Olivia is a charity and public benevolent institution focused on promoting community inclusion for people with disabilities.
The playspace is one of dozens of Livvi’s Places around Australia, inclusive spaces facilitated by Touched By Olivia where all children can play side by side.
Touched By Olivia’s head of inclusive play Kim Becherand said the Rippleside site was “a new jewel in our national network of sought-after and trusted inclusive playspace”.
“It reflects deep engagement from local children and families who experience barriers to play, schools and members of the wider community,” she said.
“They all requested somewhere where locals and visitors could gather, recreate, celebrate Geelong and play together whilst maintaining the feeling of the already known and much-loved playspace on the hill and nestled amongst the trees of Rippleside Park.”
The playspace received $2.1 million from the Australian government, $1.7 million from CoGG, $910,000 from the state government and $300,000 from Quintessential and private local donors.
Mayor Stretch Kontelj said the opening of the new Livvi’s Place was “the culmination of considerable work from a number of people over the years”.
“The early feedback from families has been extremely positive, and seeing children of all ages and abilities playing together shows this will be a wonderful asset for all in our city to enjoy,” he said.
