Children decked out in butterfly wings race to explore the new park after its official opening on Tuesday. Photo: Cootamundra-Gundagai Regional Council.
Cootamundra’s Albert Park is now officially home to a unique children’s space set to challenge children of all abilities to take risks and be adventurous, side by side.
Cootamundra-Gundagai Regional Council (CGRC) and the Touched by Olivia Foundation have delivered an inclusive play space that promotes play for everyone.
Livvi’s Place at Albert Park was officially opened on Tuesday 28 June by Member for Cootamundra Steph Cooke, project stakeholders and children and families who contributed to the project.
After their eight-month-old daughter Olivia passed away suddenly from lymphangioma in November 2006, John and Justine Perkins were driven by their grief to create something in her memory that would inspire hope and joy just as Olivia had during her short life.
Raising $200,000 at its first ever event, the Touched by Olivia Foundation has gone from strength to strength.
The first “Livvi’s Place” was opened at Timbrell Park in 2009, and proceeds from the foundation are still used today to build all-abilities playgrounds nationwide and support research into Lymphangioma treatment.
In 2018, Variety Children’s Charity joined the Touched by Olivia Foundation to continue its work with local communities across the country.
Cootamundra-Gundagai Mayor Charlie Sheahan (far left) and Member for Cootamundra Steph Cook (third from left) cut the ribbon to officially open Livvi’s Place. Watching was Touched by Olivia Foundation founder and Livvi’s mum Justine Perkins and head of inclusive play Kim Becharand (both wearing pink hats). Photo: Cootamundra-Gundagai Regional Council.
Both organisations contributed to funding the Cootamundra playground, which was designed in accordance with NSW Government’s Everyone Can Play guidelines, created to ensure public play spaces are inclusive for all, regardless of age and ability.
Ms Cooke said that she delighted in watching the project take shape.
“This playground, which had $200,000 of funding provided by the state government, has been built in a way where all children, regardless of challenges, can have the chance to play, imagine and explore,” she said.
Touched by Olivia Foundation head of inclusive play Kim Becherand commended the completion of the space on such a low budget.
“We applaud the commitment, dedication, and resourcefulness of CGRC and the whole team who worked to build the playground,” she said.
“Cootamundra now has a space where everyone can experience the benefits of play and passive recreation in the community.”
Ms Becharand noted the inclusive design, use of sustainable resources and landscaping contributed significantly to keeping project costs low.
Extensive community consultation was undertaken through 2020 including a six-week online survey and face-to-face workshops with key stakeholders.
Representatives from Elouera Association, LFE Community Supports, CGRC Access and Inclusion Committee, Lions Club, Scouts and Men’s Shed contributed.
School Imagineer workshops were held with more than 100 local students who indicated they wanted a playspace demonstrating Cootamundra’s inclusiveness.
Ms Becherand said the consultation process highlighted a need for a universal space that welcomed all ages and abilities.
“The children and teens of Cootamundra envisioned this space and set the bar very high,” she said.
“We have had such fun and many challenges in creating it.”
The crowd at the opening – including parents, children and community members who contributed to the project design – was raring to go. Photo: Touched by Olivia Foundation.
The children’s preferred amusements centred around running, climbing, jumping, hiding, water-based play and negotiating obstacles.
The children wanted the playground to act as a space to make new friends and provide challenging new experiences.
One of the most special requests was a treehouse with a ramp spiralling up the tree so everyone could enjoy the experience.
Children and adults with disabilities and special needs told designers they wanted a space that allowed them to experience play in a way that wasn’t usually possible in conventional playgrounds.
Parents stressed the importance of incorporating risk progression in the equipment, including ramps and transfer stations, so children of all abilities could challenge themselves.
All groups envisioned a separate area for relaxed catch-ups with family and friends, with particular emphasis on maintaining the natural landscape, incorporating existing trees, natural mounds and logs as much as possible.
They were also keen to acknowledge the Indigenous connections to the space, with elements such as the long neck turtle theme to be included.
Livvi’s Place at Albert Park is now the second inclusive playground in the Riverina – Livvi’s Place at Bolton Park in Wagga was opened in 2018.
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