David Wood Inclusive Adventure Playground

Project typeDesign and construction of a new recreational playspace
Project value$1,420,000
Contractor nameLamond Contracting Pty Ltd
Completion Date31 May 2025

Background

Council has an exciting new upgrade planned for David Wood Playing Fields in East Bowral which will be funded in partnership with the NSW Government under the Stronger Country Communities Fund and with local community group The 4K who strive to provide a significantly better environment within the Southern Highlands of NSW for kids with special needs.

This project will look to deliver the first four stages of the initial concept plan first proposed by Council;

Main playspace area.
Learn to ride, pump track and advanced play course.
Flying fox.
Park furniture and footpath connections.

Concept Design and Consultation

In September 2022, Council released a draft concept design of the playground for public consultation via the Your Say Wingecarribee website.

A community drop-in session was also held in October 2022 at David Wood Playing Fields, where Council staff presented the project to the community and invited feedback on the design.

A summary of the community feedback can be found in the What We Heard(PDF, 331KB) report.

Detailed Design

In May 2023 Council engaged a landscape architect to complete a detailed design of the playspace with consideration of community feedback from the concept design.

A second round of community consultation was held in September and October of 2023, inviting feedback from the Shire’s First Nations community to develop a theme for the playspace that connects with the cultural heritage of the land. A summary of this can be found in the second What We Heard(PDF, 238KB) report available in the related information.

The design takes inspiration from the story of Gurangatch and Mirrangan and the creation of the Jenolan Caves, Wingecarribee River and Wollondilly River. More can be read on this story below.

Gurangatch and Mirragan — Jenolan Caves

Construction

With the design now finalised by Complete Urban Pty Ltd, the project will progress to the construction phase with Lamond Contracting Pty Ltd. Construction is expected to commence in early January 2025 with an estimated completion date of May 2025, weather permitting.