Local children dressed in astronaut costumes delighted in Waverley Council’s official reopening this morning of the inclusive Waverley Park Playground, home to Sydney’s newest rocket ship and bespoke launch control play tower.
The new playground is the cornerstone of the Waverley Park upgrade project, proudly co-funded by the NSW Government, through the NSW Public Spaces Legacy Program, in association with the Council.
The Council received a $1.75 million grant from the Public Spaces Legacy Program to assist in funding Waverley Park upgrades including the new inclusive playground, park lighting upgrades, landscaping and relocation of a fitness station.
Access and inclusion are at the heart of the design for both the playground and fitness station designed for diverse age groups and abilities.
Mayor of Waverley, Paula Masselos, said the playground is set to become a destination for families in the east, including caregivers who have fond memories of playing on the original playground moon rocket.
“Our new playground has sparked joy in a new generation and is inspiring imaginative, creative and inclusive play,” Mayor Masselos said.
“The rocket and launch tower include features to ensure everyone has a play experience they can access and enjoy.”
The design was informed by community feedback collected across two rounds of consultation and achieves Waverley’s vision to upgrade the park to a district level inclusive play space catering to all visitors as identified in Waverley Council’s Play Space Strategy, Inclusive Play Space Study and the Waverley Park Plan of Management.
The rocket ship and launch tower is a modern reproduction of the park’s original rocket ship that was installed in the 1960s reimagined to expand the play experience for everyone and meet modern safety standards.
Original playground moon rockets were installed across Australia in the 1960s, many with the support of local Rotary Clubs, following the successful installation of the first play rocket ship tower in Blackheath Soldiers Memorial Park based on plans developed by John Yeaman for the Blue Mountains City Council and fabricated by local blacksmith Dick West.
Minister for Planning and Open Spaces Paul Scully said the NSW Public Spaces Legacy Program is a once in a generation investment in high quality public open space.
“It’s great to see residents and visitors embracing Waverley Park’s newest feature for moments of play, learning, and fun for decades to come,” Mr Scully said.
Attending the event, Member for Coogee Dr Marjorie O’Neill said the having enjoyed the original rocket ship growing up, it was “wonderful to share this experience with future generations”.
The Mayor and Dr O’Neill, on behalf of Minister Scully, joined children from local kindergarten, Wee Care, in celebrating the reopening. The children had spent several weeks creating space-themed artworks and models to mark the occasion.
“The children are so excited to be imagining rocketing towards the stars and beyond,” Mayor Masselos said.
“It’s also wonderful that the play space upgrade restores the historical footprint of the original playground and enhances the existing open space for all to enjoy.”
