Bayside Council unveils new adventure playground in Botany

A new multi-million dollar adventure playground was unveiled in Sir Joseph Banks Park, Botany, on Saturday 18 March.

Local families defied the sweltering heat to enjoy the opening ceremony and celebrations, including a community BBQ, face painting, petting zoo and pony rides.

“This exciting adventure playground, created after extensive community consultation and feedback, will be a wonderful space for our families for many years to come,” Mayor Dr Christina Curry said.

The new playground was funded by a $2.5 million grant from the NSW Government’s Legacy Grant program and $250,000 from the Open Spaces Program. Sydney Airport also provided $200,000 for landscaping to increase the tree canopy and provide habitat for wildlife.

The playground includes a range of experiences that combine nature play with custom equipment, as well as sound and sensory play, all within a natural setting that is welcoming and family-friendly.

The playground was designed following extensive community consultation, including onsite workshops with local children. The feedback gathered during these consultations allowed the designers to tailor the playground in a very purposeful and meaningful way, according to Bayside Mayor Dr Christina Curry.

Minister for Planning and Minister for Homes Anthony Roberts said the NSW government was proud to work in partnership with councils and their local communities, to ensure everyone has access to parks and recreation areas where they feel included and safe.

“What has been created here in Botany is a wonderful reflection of the community’s wants and needs – particularly school-age children who have been an integral part of Council’s planning of these facilities,” Mr Roberts said.

The park includes a range of activities that the children had requested, such as something big to climb and slides, lots of climbing and swings, flying foxes, rock climbing, monkey bars and a carousel, something for all ages, and a fun place for family and friends to gather.

The new adventure playground is expected to be a huge success, according to Mayor Dr Curry. The playground includes spaces for younger and older children and spaces for quiet and active play, a play tower with a high inclined log climb, two high slides, various climbing nets, trampolines, lower slides for younger children, various timber balance and agility equipment, rock scrambling and climbing walls, a flying fox, musical play, sandstone art, and sensory play items set amongst landscaped areas for nature play.