Ever wondered what a playground would look like if the designer said ‘I’ll take one of everything’?
Wonder no more.
Hays Paddock in Kew East has it all – and it’s impressive.
The community had been eagerly awaiting the new play space and finally got to put it to the test in early August.
The original playground was one of Australia’s first inclusive playgrounds when it opened in 1998, and the redeveloped space continues this legacy, prioritising side-by-side play opportunities for children of all abilities.
An accessible timber structure leads kids – and accompanying grownups – to bridges, ropes, slides, and viewing spaces.
The soft fall surface underneath creates a perfect space for toddlers to explore, with motor skill and sensory activities within easy reach of crawlers and new walkers.
There are sand and water play zones, plenty of shade, swings, a safe space to watch the ducks in the neighbouring wetland, toilets, sculptures to climb on, and…it’s all surrounded by a fence.
Ben, 2, and Molly, 4, put the playground through its paces on a sunny Saturday and Casey Neill captured the fun.
