The climbing towers were inspired by the Murrumbidgee River and Wagga’s Whirly Wizz Water Slide. Photo: Shri Gayathirie Rajen.
It may sound trite, but Wagga’s new $9.93 million muti-themed adventure playground really does have something for everyone.
The project was part of the Riverside development set to turn the Wagga Beach and the Murrumbidgee River precinct into an attraction for residents and visitors to the region and an ideal venue for festivals, markets and musical performances.
The playground features a tall climbing tower, Viking swing, double cable ride (flying fox), an in-ground trampoline and interactive musical elements.
Moduplay (playground manufacturing company based in Wollongong) project designer Ellen Higgins said seeing her designs come to fruition was surreal.
“Something that was on the screen for so long is now real and will be an amazing contribution to the city,” she said.
“It’s been a 12-month process and I wanted to make it belong to Wagga.”
Ms Higgins, who grew up in Victoria and lived near the Murray River most of her life has used her upbringing as design inspiration.
“The ropes climb in the shape of a paddle steamer on a river bank and the green wheel outside is the paddle steamer ring,” she explained.
The design team envisioned bringing parts of the landscape and the country into the playground.
The perforated panels on the tall climbing tower are in the shape of the Murrumbidgee River and were deliberately coloured to match the river red gums.
Riverside Adventure Playground project designers Rebecca Quinsey (left) and Ellen Higgins. Photo: Shri Gayathirie Rajen.
Ms Higgins said the climbing towers and the spiral slides are a nod to Wagga’s Whirly Wizz Water Slide.
Ms Higgins designed tower ramps for easy access and has included a parking zone at the top of the tower for children in wheelchairs or prams.
“You can leave the pram or wheelchair behind and slide down.”
The project designer has also deliberately put rubber on the floor to make it easy for young children to encounter the giant slide.
“I wanted to ensure all children could make it to the big slide and not just the kids that have the advanced climb,” she said.
The second level climb with the spiral slides is the first of its kind.
The third tower is advanced with a challenging rope climb.
Ms Higgins explained having three levels provided children different means of exploring as their bodies and confidence grew.
Each tower has its own lookout and the panels have a different animal motif (kangaroo, emu and echidna).
The shape of the playground’s path is also in the form of the Murrumbidgee River.
Moduplay project designer Rebecca Quinsey said it was great to be included in an “amazing” project.
“Hearing the kids laugh makes every bit of effort worth the while,” she said.
Local mum Heather-Lee Seib (with her toddler Hilton Raabe) said it was great that Wagga now had a new playground that catered for a broader range of ages.
“I’ve got a toddler, and playgrounds are his thing,” she said.
“There are a couple of little neighbourhood playgrounds but nothing like this.”
Out-of-town visitors to the region Cecilia Cao with her husband Justin and daughter Keeva were driving around Wagga when they came across the playground.
“It is a great area,” she said.
“Keeva loves it and we love it, too.”
Mrs Cao said her family travels frequently and that such playgrounds were convenient during stopovers.
“It’s an attraction for people to come here [Wagga] and stimulate the community,” she said.
The playground was officially unveiled by Wagga City Mayor Dallas Tout, Wiradjuri Elders Aunty Cheryl Penrith and Aunty Mary Atkinson, Member of the NSW Legislative Council Wes Fang and Member for Riverina Michael McCormack on 14 June.
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