Playgrounds

Council's vision for play

Our diverse range of play spaces are accessible and well-designed and encourage active, social living across the city for residents and visitors of all ages.

Play is the way that children learn about the world and their role in it. It can be physical, social, cognitive, imaginative and creative – sometimes all at once. The value of rich play opportunities, particularly in early childhood in terms of acquiring skills, knowledge and self-awareness is immeasurable. The benefits of children’s play include:

Play creates physically and emotionally healthy children
Play balances risk-taking and safety
Play connects children with their community
Play supports children’s learning
Play gives children time and space to relax and just ‘be’

The City of Warrnambool currently provides 60 play spaces throughout the municipality.

Renewal of Playspace

Current playground equipment is replaced with a new design, a wheelchair friendly seat and resting areas. The surface around the play equipment will be rubber soft fall and surrounded by playground safe tan bark.

This renewal does not include fixed shade structures, water play, an increase in playground size or change in playground hierarchy (ie. Local playgrounds will remain a neighbourhood playground).

Different types of equipment and play opportunities have a different lifespan, depending upon the type of material they are constructed of, their exposure to weather and coastal conditions (rust and rot are two major issues in Warrnambool play spaces), the quality of material used in construction and the amount of use the site receives.

Wherever possible, it is recommended that rather than assuming equipment or opportunities need to be replaced in a certain year because that is how long they are reasonably expected to last, that an assessment is undertaken each year to identify ways in which to prolong the lifespan of items.

Coming Soon

We have a new set of playgrounds which will be renewed prior to the end of June 2025.

Playground renewal will begin 25 November 2024, with temporary fencing and demolition.

Fairfax Avenue Playground

Construction will begin early December 2024 – nearby alternative playgrounds are on Pappas Drive Dennington, Carpenter Avenue Warrnambool and Pecten Avenue Warrnambool

What you told us: You wanted more swings, more seating and fencing.

The new design includes an additional swing and seating. The existing post and rail barrier will be replaced by a cypress post and wire fencing and gates.

Nicolls Drive Playground

Construction will begin early December 2024 – nearby alternative playgrounds are on Pappas Drive Dennington, Carpenter Avenue Warrnambool and Pecten Avenue Warrnambool

What you told us: The preliminary design was “Very Good.” You loved the toddler swing, but thought the playground needed more colour. You wanted more play areas and a BBQ.

Playground renewal has four play areas and includes a toddler swing. Council will also be installing some lighting. The picnic table will remain but unfortunately a BBQ is not possible.

Shrader Park Allansford

Replacement fencing and relocation of the water bubbler will take place in early November 2024, followed by replacement of the basketball and netball rings, and backboard, in early December 2024. Construction of the new playground will begin February 2025 – the nearby alternative playground is at the Allansford Recreation Reserve on Ziegler Parade

What you told us: The preliminary design was “Good” to “Very Good” and you like the basketball hoop.

The netball and basketball hoops and backboard will be replaced as part of the renewal. The play space will be upgraded with a rock and log perimeter. Additional seating will be added. The existing post and rail barrier will be replaced by a cypress post and wire fencing and gate, and the existing water bubbler will be relocated to inside the playground boundary and replaced.