Hazel Orme

Year of Construction: 2023

Location: Walyalup, Whadjuk Noongar Boodja

Client: Hazel Orme

Team: See Design Studio

See Design Studio worked with this community-run Kindergarten to develop a concept plan for their playground. The existing structure was run down and in broken parts that were not ideal for an early childhood setting.

The community was engaged in design process and the children from the Kindy created drawings of how they wanted to the playground to look and feel. All of their ideas as well as feedback from the teachers and parents was collated to create a new masterplan of the area.

The playground itself has a focus on active native play and works within a framework of existing mature native trees which provide shade and habitat.

A creek bed has been built using Toodjay stone boulders with a tap that the children can operate giving them access to water play year round.

With help from the community of parents and children the space was replanted with native plants, including a bush tucker garden and traditional vegetable patch. As an extended learning opportunity the kids were taught how care for the gardens and do so ongoing as a part of the curriculum.

Local artist Elly Sumner was engaged to paint vibrant murals on an existing blank wall which celebrate the different bird and animal species that visit the play space.