About the project

We are renewing the local playground at Mary MacKillop Reserve in Surrey Hills to improve the play experience for all children.

From late May 2022, our community shared memories, stories and ideas for the new playground to help shape a draft concept design.

Our community then provided feedback on the draft concept design from late June to July 2022.

We heard that our community:

  • love the castle theme and would like to keep this
  • want to see play options for younger and older children
  • like the existing rockers
  • would like to see some more informal recreation opportunities for children to take part in.

Thank you to everyone who shared their feedback. Your feedback has shaped the final concept design for the new playground.

We expect construction to start before mid-2023.

Our final concept design

We made changes to the draft concept design based on feedback from our community.

For older children, the final concept design now includes:

  • the existing metal castle tops, which will be updated and included on the new castle play unit
  • a taller section of the castle-themed play unit with a climbing net and large tube slide
  • refurbished swings with 2 strap seats
  • monkey bars.

For younger children, the final concept design now includes:

  • an improved toddler end of the castle play unit with a double slide, shop front and cubby play
  • updated rockers
  • updated swings with 2 toddler seats.

Other features of the new playground for children of all ages include:

  • a path suitable for scooters
  • a netball hoop
  • nature play.

We will also add 3 new park benches and an upgraded picnic table as part of this playground renewal.

You can view key features of the final concept design by selecting the Hotspots below.

All equipment and surface treatments shown are subject to final budget review, authority approvals and site conditions. Images of equipment are examples only and subject to change.

An aerial map of the final concept design for Mary MacKillop Reserve playground in Surrey Hills.

Tree works

Our community values healthy trees, which contribute to shade and the natural feel of our parks and open spaces. As part of our investigations to renew the playground, an independent arborist completed a health check on the trees around Mary MacKillop Reserve and the playground.

They told us 12 red maple trees along the paths and 2 trees along the fence line (one stone pine and one Queensland Kauri) are in poor health and should be replaced.

We will replace all trees being removed with new trees better suited to the area's conditions. The new trees will include a mix of:

  • Claret Ash
  • European Hornbeam (Carpinus betulis ‘Fastigiata’)
  • Hakea bucculenta 'Red Pokers'
  • Silver-leaved Mountain Gums.

We will also plant new landscaping, including 9 new trees along the path and in the playground space.