In a world-leading initiative, Northern Beaches Council and local group Play For All Australia are teaming up in a new approach to making playgrounds more inclusive.

The focus is on creating connection and belonging within the local community for all families and children.

Council Administrator Dick Persson AM said a constant theme from community feedback is a desire to make the Northern Beaches as inclusive as possible, including and especially for all children.

“Play is not just fun, it is vital for every child’s learning and development. All children need to be able to play and interact in their local community and that includes children with a disability.

“While our larger playgrounds incorporate some inclusive equipment like all-access swings, there is much more we could do. That’s why I am proud to announce this new partnership,” Mr Persson said.

This pilot project will span five local playgrounds in Belrose and is designed around the principles of sensory play.

The community driving force behind this partnership are the co-founders of Play For All Australia, Tim Smith and Caroline Ghatt, Northern Beaches parents who have two children including a son with a profound disability.

“It was through their own experiences raising their son that Tim and Caroline realised what our playgrounds were and weren’t delivering. When they approached Council, we were delighted and honoured. If there is a mark of a society and community it is how we look after our children – all of our children,” Mr Persson said.

Tim and Caroline said their family experiences helped them understand how an opportunity for inclusion could positively benefit many families in the local community.

“Our goal was to find a way to make inclusive design the starting point for small neighbourhood play spaces. By working with local educators, community and creative minds, we discovered how we could evolve them into sensory-rich play spaces for children of every ability, and create greater community belonging and reduced social isolation for more families.

“The critical difference between these five play spaces and any other neighbourhood playground is that they operate as one play network. Each takes its inspiration from one of the five senses, is modular in design and built around an open system of sensory rich play using efficient, sustainable and innovative approaches.

“Based on design, timing and the challenges of budget limitations in local neighbourhood playgrounds, we believe this is the first time anywhere in the world that this approach is being tried,” Caroline said

The project involves five local playgrounds in Belrose - Lindrum Reserve, Maple Reserve, Windrush Reserve, Pusan Reserve and Wentworth Reserve.

With the development of the new all-abilities playground at Lionel Watts Reserve, they will help drive the vision of Northern Beaches Council as a world-leading destination for inclusive play.