Kensington Wama Mukangka/Nature Play Space
The new Nature Play Space and Kaurna Reflection Area are now open at Kensington Wama/Kensington Gardens Reserve
The Kensington Gardens Reserve Project, located in the south-east corner of Kensington Wama/Kensington Gardens Reserve, was officially opened by Premier Steven Marshall on 18 January 2022. The impressive new play space with nature play features and biodiversity education elements also includes a place of reflection and a cultural walk with interpretive signage and artwork.
The new Nature Play Space has been designed for children aged 3 to 7 years and complements the existing Burnside Adventure Playground in the north western corner of the Reserve, which is suited to children aged 5 to 12 years.
This outdoor play space has been designed to provide children with an opportunity to take measured and age‐appropriate risks. It’s well known that natural play spaces encourage creative and imaginative play, increasing a child’s ability to think critically.
Nature play is not designed to be risk free, but to be challenging and unstructured. Children will enjoy exploring the many different elements throughout the play space, while it is also hoped they will gain an appreciation for the environment and cultural heritage through the sculptures and play items inspired by Kaurna Traditional Owners.
There are a number of different climbing structures, a small mound and slide, sand pits, water pump feature and rope elements. Part of the wetland viewing platform features a unique rope floor to walk and stand on. There are numerous park benches scattered around the play equipment.
The tennis clubrooms upgrade will continue throughout January/February 2022 and once complete will provide new public amenities next to the play space. There will be men’s, women’s and disabled access bathrooms plus parents room facilities.
There are also public toilets located there.
Kaurna Reflection Area
Kaurna Traditional Owners developed the concept designs for a place of reflection, featuring carvings of fauna that are associated with this area. The carvings were created from trees that were removed to allow for the construction of the new wetland. As well as featuring amazing wooden sculptures and artwork, there are stepping stones, pathways and bench seating.
Yultu
The winner of the ‘Name the Yultu’ competition (yultu is the Kaurna name for frog) was ‘Anura’, submitted by Narayan, 9, of Kensington Park. The competition encouraged children under 12 years old that live or attend school in Burnside to suggest a name for the yultu that features in the Kensington Wama nature play space.
It is recommended that children be supervised at all times while using the nature play space and stepping stones. The play space is situated along side the wetland with easy access to water.
READ ABOUT THE NEW WETLAND FACILITY HERE
Kensington Gardens Reserve runs from West to East Terrace with the Burnside Adventure Park Playground located on the western side. It is the largest recreational area in the City of Burnside and is home to a range of sporting clubs and includes the Waite, Parkinson and Ford Ovals.
Nearby coffee & food options:
The Erindale Shopping Centre is just around the corner on Kensington Road. Here you will find Foodland, chicken & chip shop, coffee shop, speciality shops and more.
Location:
Corner South Terrace & East Terrace, Kensington Gardens
There is a car park on South Terrace and angle street parking along East Terrace.
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For more information and all enquiries please visit the Engage Burnside website.
At Play & Go Adelaide we make every effort to provide accurate information to the best of our knowledge at the time of publication. We recommend confirming times, dates and details directly before making any plans as details may be subject to change.
This Kensington Gardens Reserve project was made possible due to support from the Australian Government Community Development Grants programme, the South Australian Government Open Space Grant Program, Green Adelaide, City of Burnside, Tennis Australia and Tennis SA.
Image Source: all photos by Play & Go
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