We received some great community feedback for the renewal of Larool Avenue Reserve playground through an online survey and emails directly to the Open Space Planning Team. Thank you for your comments and suggestions about the space. The design was well received by the community and they felt it targeted their needs.

A discussion points from your feedback was:

Native plants and trees: Tree planting will be included as part of the playground replacement to provide more natural shade to the space. We will not be planting any understory garden beds in the park.

Construction of Larool Avenue Reserve playground is now complete and the park is open to the public.

Community engagement

From August - September 2023, we consulted with community and received great community feedback for the renewal of Larool Avenue Reserve playground.

27 people provided feedback through an online survey and emails directly to the Open Space Planning Team. Thank you for your comments and suggestions about the space.

From the design options provided, a climbing unit with slide and a static and mixed strength station was the most popular and have been incorporated into the design.

View the final concept design to see how your feedback was incorporated.

Some important points:

• Path works: We propose to install a path from Maxine Drive to the playspace and to Leith Park. We are unable to deliver a path from Larool Reserve, the topography is too steep and budget does not allow.
• Tree Planting: Tree planting will be included as part of the playground replacement to provide more natural shade to the space. Mulching and a general tidy up of the reserve will also occur.

We will provide a playspace with a new and improved area to meet the needs of the local community.

The new playground will include:

• A new playground unit
• Fitness equipment
• Additional seating
• Tree planting
• Path connecting to Maxine Drive

As part of the improvement works for Larool Avenue Reserve playground, we have undertaken a detailed site analysis. The site analysis helps us determine the opportunities and constraints for the project and helps the Open Space and Planning team develop a concept that aligns with the project budget, the playground classifications, Public Open Space Plan 2016-2031 and Council initiatives to provide Local Play Networks and Play Diversity (see definitions below).

The outcome has highlighted that the playground design will be constrained by the topography of the site. We will try to improve access where possible.

Key considerations for Larool Avenue Reserve playground are:

• Play experience and diversity - create a unique play experience for the community different to surrounding local reserves.
• Connectivity - connect the playground to Maxine drive with a path.
• Seating and functionality - provide additional seating and a path connecting to Maxine Drive.
• Landscaping and shade - providing additional trees for increased shade.

Our intention is to provide a play space with a new and improved area to meet the needs of the local community.

Larool Avenue Reserve is a medium reserve located in St Helena.

This parks is classified as a local playspace as outlined in playground classifications of our Public Open Space Plan 2016-2031. The park has a steep topography and connects its open space to Larool Avenue and Maxine Drive. The park also borders Leith Park to the South and connects to a section of linear open space to the north, this land is not owner by Council. It contains a playground with seating, a grassed area and tree planting.

Parks classified as local playspaces are usually small playgrounds designed to cater for residents living within 400 metres. These playgrounds include one - two items of play equipment for a limited number of age groups. Local playgrounds are usually only used by residents from nearby streets who normally access the park by foot or bike.

The playground is well used by local families and the playspace located to the east of the reserve is now scheduled for renewal. We are excited to continue to provide a high-quality playground experience at Larool Avenue Reserve and would like your help to re-imagine the park for current and future users.

1. Play Networks: where there are several pocket or local playgrounds located within walking distance of each other, Council will endeavour to create a local play network by strengthening connection between playgrounds.
2. Play Diversity: Council will work towards providing a complete range of play experiences in each precinct. When designing, upgrading or replacing playgrounds, we will give consideration to the types of play experiences already available in the neighbourhood and include play experiences currently not available locally.