Fun ahoy: New Sienna Wood Park encourages fun for all
Stockland today celebrated the start of construction on the $4.8 million feature park at its 3,600-home Sienna Wood community at Hilbert.
Spanning some 6.6 hectares, the park once complete will be more than three times the size of the WACA Arena1, and is set to become a destination for families across the Armadale region and beyond.
Col Dutton, Stockland’s WA General Manager, said the new park would take up prime position beside Sienna Wood’s future town centre and primary and high schools, featuring a network of walkways and cycle paths to connect the park’s all-abilities playground, dog exercise area, fitness zones and shaded BBQ areas.
“We are very proud to be setting a new benchmark for inclusive, imaginative outdoor play in WA, and look forward to our new Sienna Wood feature park becoming a landmark destination for families across this growing area of Perth.”
“The new feature park is Stockland's largest ever in WA, and will encourage children of all abilities to embark on a journey of exploration, providing them with endless outdoor fun as they let their imaginations run wild.”
Minister for Planning and Disability Services, Hon. Donna Faragher MLC, Mayor of Armadale, Henry Zelones OAM, and Justine Perkins, Founder of the Touched by Olivia Foundation, were on hand to officially turn the first sod for the park.
Touched by Olivia Founder, Justine Perkins, said the all-abilities, shipwreck-themed playground at the centre of the park was designed for all children to play together, including those with physical disabilities, vision, hearing and mobility impairments, or spectrum disorders such as autism.
“With one in five Australians living with a disability, it is fantastic to continue our work with Stockland creating inclusive parks across WA and nationally.”
“Our playgrounds provide easy access and fun, stimulating play areas – but they are really about celebrating the ability all children, parents and grandparents share in playing and having fun.”
“We hope that if children can start on a level playing field, playgrounds like this will lead to creating a community that is more inclusive.”
City of Armadale Mayor Henry Zelones OAM, JP said when completed this $4.8 million facility will become a landmark in the City of Armadale, to be enjoyed by not only residents of the Sienna Wood community in Hilbert but the boarder Armadale and indeed Perth communities.
“This spectacular all-inclusive playground will provide a space for children of all ages and abilities where they can play together on the same equipment, reducing any sense of separateness or inequality.
“Provision of well-designed, well-located adventure parks such as this is what brings the community together and we welcome Stockland’s investment in this open space”, he said.
The new 6,000 square metre playground will include a range of equipment to encourage active, social, sensory and educational play. At the centre will be a 30-metre shipwreck surrounded by rocks, sand and shipping cargo as well as a ‘walk-the-plank’ themed ‘drop zone’.
Other key features will include a dry creek bed with logs for children to walk across, viewing platforms, giant swings, a dual all-abilities flying fox, water and sand play elements, in-ground trampolines, slides and musical equipment where kids can beat out tunes.
The park will also include a large turfed ‘teen area’ offering older kids endless fun with table tennis and a ‘hit up wall’.
The park and shipwreck-themed playground at Sienna Wood is expected to open in October 2017.
About Sienna Wood
Sienna Wood is an affordable, well located masterplanned community 25km south-east of the CBD, which Stockland is delivering in partnership with the Housing Authority of WA. Residents are minutes from the existing Haynes Shopping Centre, Armadale Shopping City, Xavier Catholic Primary School and Armadale Train Station. For more details visit the Sienna Wood Sales and Information Centre at the corner of Ninth Road and Burdekin Turn in Hilbert, call 13 LAND (13 5263) or go to www.stockland.com.au/siennawood
About The Touched by Olivia Foundation
Founded in 2006 in memory of Olivia Perkins, Touched by Olivia believe that all children, regardless of ability, can lead healthier and happier lives. Touched by Olivia advocate for an inclusive society, through its national network of inclusive play spaces and social enterprises that provide training and employment for people with disabilities.
1 Source: http://waca.com.au/other/id.php?m=1&ID=66 WACA Arena Total SQM = 18,000sqm
