Newport Waterside

Newport Waterside is now home to a state-of-the-art inclusive playground at Spinnaker Park. Urban Play worked in collaboration with CUSP Landscape Architecture, Eureka Landscapes and Touched by Olivia to deliver a playground where all children can play together. Filled with activities for all ages, the playground encourages the whole family to get outside, soak up the sunshine and play!

The playground draws inspiration from the neighbouring $90million centrepiece lake.  A colossal 11-metre Sail Tower which is inspired by a ship pierces the sky and is filled with multi-level climbing activities and two fast slides. An elevated ramp curves the side of the Sail Tower offering a unique perspective over Newport Lake, acts as a ramp entrance to the Tower and is fitted with slides and a climbing net providing another level of play. Playground designer, Ben Urban said “the nautical theme inspires children to set sail across a sea of imagination and experience free play on the ground plain with inclusive and sensory play opportunities for the children to explore and experience with the wide variety of materials used to construct the playground. The surface and play equipment naturally integrate into the surrounding hard and soft landscapes and the custom-designed 11-m high Sail Tower offers incredible views over Newport Lake and the entire park.”

For little adventurers, there is a Toddler Sail Tower fitted with climbing activities and a slide, a Robinia Play Ship where they can be captains of their play adventure and sand and water activities that engage them in play for hours. “We wanted to design a playground that celebrates the beach lifestyle that Australian families know and love. An intergenerational design approach was taken to design a play environment which caters to all ages with equipment offering a wide variety of play activities that develop & challenge children’s physical, social and cognitive development to grow healthy, happy and confident children” said Mr. Urban.

The playground also includes a coconut rope swing, climbing nets, bounding membranes stepping pods and more. The architectural forms and materiality anchors this space as a unique play destination that stands apart, projects quality and incorporates the surrounding landscape.