The design of the City of Greater Bendigo's popular Strathdale Park Play Space in Crook Street has been recognised through a Regional Achievement award from the Australian Institute of Landscape Architects (AILA) Victoria/Tasmania chapter. The play space will now compete in the AILA national awards to be held later this year.
City of Greater Bendigo Presentation and Assets Director Brian Westley said the award was fantastic recognition for the City's efforts to produce cost effective facilities for the community and visitors to enjoy.
"While the City builds these assets for the community to enjoy it's great that the work we are doing to make Greater Bendigo such a terrific place to live is recognised on a wider scale," Mr Westley said.
"I'm very proud of the staff from the City's Parks and Open Space and Engineering units who were all involved in this project from conception to completion. The award also recognises the efforts of local artists and school children who contributed to the project."
"The $745,000 transformation of the Strathdale Park Play Space commenced in 2015 and was undertaken in three stages over several Council budgets.
"Stage one of the project included some exciting new additions to the play space including a new combination play unit complete with a spiral tube slide and multiple climbing opportunities. Other equipment installed included a wheelchair accessible carousel and a nature play area featuring a custom-made timber play hive and gigantic gumnuts.
"Stage two included the reconfiguration of the carpark along Crook Street to allow for the installation of the very popular five-way swing. During this stage the former asphalt path received a makeover to become a canvass for the colourful painting of native animals.
"The stage three works included installation of new play equipment, seating, shade shelters and a junior water and sand play area. As part of the stage three works, students from Kennington Primary School created beautiful coloured mosaic tiles with the help of a local artist to decorate a large three-dimensional concrete gecko that wraps around the new sand pit.
"Local children also participated in a pebble making workshop where they created blue textured pebbles that have been embedded into the water channel that meanders its way through the play space.
"The City has made a serious investment in this play space which is one of our most visited recreation areas. The upgrade of the play space along with new landscaping and shade shelters is providing exciting new play opportunities and outdoor activities for children of all ages and abilities."
