Stockland Rockhampton hosts playground party to celebrate launch of new inclusive playground

Stockland Rockhampton has confirmed its standing as ‘the centre’ of the community, with the opening of a new $370,000 inclusive playground for children of all ages and abilities.

A playground party will be held at the centre this Saturday 28 October, to celebrate the opening of the space, which was designed in collaboration with Stockland’s CARE Foundation partner, the Touched By Olivia Foundation.

The community is invited to come down to enjoy free entertainment including face painting, kids activity packs and a Ninja Turtles meet and greet, with the first 100 customers also receiving a free healthy breakfast pack.

The new playspace has been designed with imagination, creativity and active play in mind and incorporates a number of unique design features inspired by a Rockhampton cattle property. The playground includes a central feature tree with a slide and lookout, a child sized farm shop, cattle ramp, Brahman Bulls and tactile play spaces for discovery and learning.

Andrew Provan, Stockland Rockhampton Centre Manager, said the playground’s inclusive and innovative design ensured all children can play together, including those with physical disabilities, vision, hearing and mobility impairments, or spectrum disorders such as autism.

“With one in five Australians living with a disability, we’re proud to continue our national partnership with the Touched By Olivia Foundation here in Rockhampton, opening this terrific, inclusive play space at for all customers to enjoy.

“We underwent significant community consultation for the design of this new playground and Rocky’s love of cattle shone through as a key theme for this space.

“At Stockland we are focused on providing an experience that truly engages with our customers and inspires the community, delivering more than just another shopping centre experience.”

Touched by Olivia Foundation Executive Officer, Bec Ho said: “Our playgrounds acknowledge disability by providing easy access and fun, stimulating play areas, but they are really about celebrating the ability of all children, ensuring everyone can play and have fun.”

“We’re hoping that if children can start on a level playing field, playgrounds like this will lead to creating a community that is more inclusive.”

The Touched by Olivia inclusive playground at Stockland Rockhampton is the eighth for the Stockland retail portfolio, with the business having invested $2.3 million to date. Stockland also has an additional six playgrounds planned for the year ahead at Stockland Merrylands, Stockland Green Hills, Stockland Wendouree, Stockland Balgowlah, Stockland Bundaberg and Stockland Rockhampton.

Playground Party at Stockland Rockhampton

When: Saturday 28 October, 9am -1pm

What: Customers are invited to come and try out the all new Touched By Olivia Inclusive Play Space and enjoy a host of free entertainment including:

• Face Painter & Balloon Twister, 9am -1pm.
• Ninja Turtles Meet & Greet - 9-9:30am, 10-10:30am, 11-11:30am & 12-12:30am.
• Pulp Sandwich & Health Bar breakfast packs to the first 100 customers that visit their store.
• Free kids activity packs
• Hit FM will be broadcasting live from the food court