Case Study: Wulaba Children's Park, Australia

Wulaba Park was designed to create a unique and memorable children's play space. A custom designed play tower that references the classic hill rocket of the park walk through, a raised fort landing incorporating multiple play experiences, is the key visual element/attraction in the park. This unique play structure is designed to enhance imaginative and narrative play, and includes both custom and off-the-shelf elements. A giant slide, rope and cable climber, slides, swings, nature games and tunnels complete this exciting gaming experience.

The design incorporates Nuha Saad's public art into key elements of the park, including an accent color theme, patterned walkways, soft fall, concrete inlays, giant blocks, tower railings and gazebo canopies. As lead consultant, Sturt Noble worked closely with Nuha and Fleetwood Urban (the manufacturer of the ride tower) to deliver a coherent and integrated design outcome. The City of Sydney has been fully consulted and has provided a wide range of facilities. The population of the Green Square/Waterloo area is very broad but is changing rapidly so the park was seen as an opportunity to create recreational opportunities in an area area traditionally lacking the facilities forecast for residents due to the large increase in apartment construction.

Sturt Noble Associates designed the park to be stimulating and visually appealing while activating a range of senses, creating play spaces that offer a variety of experiences and adventures for all ages and abilities. The play spaces were designed to include accessible elements with game design to provide development of agility, balance, coordination and strength. All five senses; sight, sound, touch, smell and taste can be stimulated with a variety of play elements, materials, plantings and artwork combined into the play space.

Equipment and activities are located within a series of surfaces and spaces that form fun and adventurous play areas. Integrated planting and level changes form and separate play spaces, creating discrete and independent areas within the playground that allow for individual and group play activities. Pathways are designed to lead children to further play opportunities and are often hidden throughout the space. Informal play opportunities are created using elements such as large boulders and precast concrete and house walls. Pathways link play areas with contrasting surfaces and textures that add to the play experience; stone, concrete, sand, gravel, cobblestone, bark and rubberized soft slopes offer a variety of surfaces and colors. Seating and quiet areas are merged into the play space with low retaining walls, boulders and custom seating providing a range of options.

The design employs best practice sustainability methods including recycled bricks, mulch, gravel, stone and sand used extensively throughout the project. Plantings are primarily of species native to Australia with low water requirements. Hard materials, including bridges, seating and retaining wall details are designed using robust materials with long life and limited maintenance. The "raingarden" is intended to create a feature around a high point or "island" in the northern part of the park connected to Archibald Avenue and the associated plaza via a bridge.