Fun ahoy: Stockland opens Livvi’s Place at Shipwreck Park for children of all abilities in major Perth community
Stockland today officially opened a $4.8 million shipwreck-themed park at its Sienna Wood community in Hilbert, a joint venture with the WA Department of Communities, with thousands of families turning out to celebrate the International Day of People with a Disability.
The unique feature playground, ‘Livvi’s Place at Shipwreck Park’ was designed in collaboration with the Touched By Olivia Foundation, the City of Armadale, local schools and community groups to ensure children of all abilities can play together, including those with physical disabilities, vision, hearing and mobility impairments, or spectrum disorders such as autism.
Livvi’s Place at Shipwreck Park spans 6 hectares and features a 30 metre shipwreck surrounded by rocks, sand and shipping cargo to provide hours of fun for all.
Col Dutton, Stockland General Manager for WA, was joined by Hon Stephen Dawson MLC, Minister for Disability Services; Bec Ho, Executive Officer, Touched By Olivia Foundation; Mayor Henry Zelones, OAM, JP, City of Armadale; Matt Keogh MP, Federal Member for Burt; and Dr Tony Buti MLA, Member for Armadale to open the park.
Col Dutton said: “We are very proud to be setting a new benchmark for inclusive, imaginative outdoor play in WA, and it’s fantastic to open this new park on International Day of People with a Disability.”
“Not only does this park celebrate diversity and inclusiveness, but at three times the size of the WACA, it’s also Stockland’s largest park in WA. I’m thrilled to be here at Sienna Wood, celebrating with so many children of all abilities from across Perth playing at Shipwreck Park.
Minister Dawson said: “The opening of Shipwreck Park is a timely reminder of the importance of creating inclusive and accessible communities, which is a focus of both the International Day of People with Disability and Disability Awareness Week.
“Building communities that focus on being inclusive and accessible means better opportunities and outcomes for everyone, both now and into the future.
“Between 80 and 100 people were employed during construction, and the park will support three ongoing jobs in the areas of landscape maintenance and the shipping container café.”
Touched by Olivia Executive Officer, Bec Ho, said: “With one in five Australians living with a disability, it is fantastic to continue our work with Stockland creating inclusive parks across WA and nationally.”
“Inclusive playgrounds like this provide easy access and fun, stimulating play areas – but they are really about celebrating the ability all children, parents and grandparents share in playing and having fun.”
“We hope that if children can start on a level playing field, playgrounds like this will lead to creating a community that is more inclusive.”
Other elements of the playground include viewing platforms, giant swings, a dual all-abilities flying fox, in-ground trampolines, slides and musical equipment for beating out tunes.
Col Dutton continues, “This is a fantastic play space that will allow kids’ imaginations to run wild. They can look forward to endless fun studying a treasure map, walking the plank, climbing nets and navigating the high seas. We are anticipating that this park will become a major destination in Perth’s thriving southern growth corridor.”
The park also includes a large turfed ‘teen area’ offering older kids endless fun with table tennis and a basketball court. Also included in the new facility is a large enclosed off-leash dog park for residents to exercise their pooches, a network of walkways and cycle paths playground, fitness zones and barbecue and shaded areas.
About Sienna Wood
Sienna Wood is an affordable, well located masterplanned community 25km south-east of the CBD, which Stockland is delivering in partnership with the WA Department of Communities. Residents are minutes from the existing Haynes Shopping Centre, Armadale Shopping City, Xavier Catholic Primary School and Armadale Train Station. For more details visit the Sienna Wood Sales and Information Centre at the corner of Ninth Road and Burdekin Turn in Hilbert, call 13 LAND or www.stockland.com.au/siennawood
About The Touched by Olivia Foundation and Livvi’s Place
Founded in 2006 in memory of Olivia Perkins, Touched by Olivia believe that all children, regardless of ability, can lead healthier and happier lives. Touched by Olivia advocate for an inclusive society, through its national network of inclusive play spaces and social enterprises that provide training and employment for people with disabilities
A Livvi’s Place provides a unique environment for children of all ages and all abilities to play side by side. Extensive research and community consultation have gone into the development of these Playspaces to make them truly world class facilities. In 2012, Touched by Olivia joined with leading academics, practitioners, not for profit and NGO’s and developed a best practice guideline to assist decision makers, advocates and designers looking to create an inclusive playspace.
About International Day of People with Disability (IDPwD)
IDPwD is a United Nations sanctioned day that is celebrated internationally. It aims to increase public awareness, understanding and acceptance of people with disability and celebrate the achievements and contributions of people with disability. The Australian Government has been supporting IDPwD since 1996 and provides funds to promote and raise awareness of the day around Australia.
Col Dutton, Stockland General Manager for WA, was joined by Hon Stephen Dawson MLC, Minister for Disability Services; Bec Ho, Executive Officer, Touched By Olivia Foundation; Mayor Henry Zelones, OAM, JP, City of Armadale; Matt Keogh MP, Federal Member for Burt; and Dr Tony Buti MLA, Member for Armadale, to open the $4.8 million shipwreck-themed park at its Sienna Wood community in Hilbert, a joint venture with the WA Department of Communities, on 3 December 2017.