City of Greater Geelong have announced a complete overhaul of Rippleside Park's existing playground, making way for a new, regional inclusive playspace.
The beloved wooden labyrinth playground of Rippleside Park will come to rest as of Thursday 19 September. The quintessential playground to the Geelong region, Rippleside Park’s facilities have been labelled end of life by the design and construction team of City of Greater Geelong. Fear not, however as the space will be transformed, making way for construction to begin for a new, regional inclusive playspace.
Livvi’s Place
- Where: Rippleside Park, Rippleside Park Drive, Prince Highway Geelong
- When: Closure of park from Thursday 19 September. New facility set to reopen mid-2025
Stay up to date with what’s happening in and around the region here.
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The City has partnered with the Touched by Olivia Foundation and the Federal and State Governments to build a flagship new play area for children of all abilities to play together at Rippleside Park. Labelled Geelong’s First ‘Livvi’s Place’, the fresh playspace has been designed to be inclusive for kids of all ages and abilities, and will incorporate multi-sensory and nature play elements, with opportunities for physical, creative, social and passive play.
The project will include a regional-level playground and associated park infrastructure such as picnic facilities, accessible toilets and a Changing Places facility with the final project set to reopen in mid-2025.
The playspace concept designs have been based on accessibility and inclusive design principles and were informed by the engagement findings from the community and stakeholder consultation. This allows for the space to be enjoyed by all children of all abilities.
Key elements of the playspace design include:
- a unique timber structure with a variety of climbing challenges, accessible swing bridge and high slides;
- nature play area with loose surfaces, plants, trees, water and sand;
- water play area with hand pumps and spurts;
- rocking, spinning and jumping elements including inclusive inground trampolines;
- dedicated toddler play area;
- sand play area with wheelchair-accessible table beneath a pergola;
- a range of swings and flying foxes with back support;
- sensory and artistic elements including sound, smell, touch and kinaesthetic awareness;
- gathering and picnic areas.
This new playspace and design will entirely replace the much-loved existing playground, which was opened in 2001. The original build incorporated sponsored picket posts from businesses, organisations, community groups and individuals when the playground was constructed 24 years ago, with each post engraved with their sponsors name. Unfortunately in the revised design for the Rippleside Park area, the pickets will not be used. However, they will be saved during the deconstruction of the current site, with the original sponsors able to collect their picket as a keepsake. You can register to collect your picket here.
To learn more about the Levvi’s Place Rippleside Park construction and see designs, head to the City of Greater Geelong website.
