Harvey Accessible Playground - Meredin Park Master Plan

Share Harvey Accessible Playground - Meredin Park Master Plan on Facebook Share Harvey Accessible Playground - Meredin Park Master Plan on Twitter Share Harvey Accessible Playground - Meredin Park Master Plan on Linkedin Email Harvey Accessible Playground - Meredin Park Master Plan link

Harvey Accessible Playground

Earlier this year, a passionate group of local parents brought a heartfelt request and petition to the Council, advocating for the development of an all-inclusive, accessible playground. Some of these parents shared personal stories about their children with special needs who couldn’t fully enjoy public playgrounds because the existing infrastructure didn’t meet their needs.

Under the inspiring tagline Every Child Deserves to Play, the group highlighted the growing need for a safe, inclusive space in Harvey where families and children of all abilities can connect and play together.

The Master Plan proposes utilising the existing area near Harvey Skatepark and Sir Peter Topham Swimming Pool on Hinge Road in Meriden Park. With a well-established grassed area with mature trees for shade, the location is family-friendly and will create a youth-focused precinct in Harvey.

The heart of this initiative lies in designing a playground that welcomes children of all abilities to play, grow, and learn side by side. The emphasis is on creating a space that fosters inclusion, acceptance, and accessibility, ensuring that no child is left out of the joy of play.

The Meredin Park Master Plan concept (above) highlights the key elements of this project which includes:

  • A proposed Fenced Dog Exercise Area.
  • All abilities playground and zipline location.
  • New public toilets with Male and Female Ambulant, UAT and Nationally accredited Changing Places Facility.
  • New carpark to provide connectivity to all features within the precinct.
  • Supplementary landscaping to complement new features.
  • Future location of BBQ and furniture is yet to be determined.

The proposed project is to be rolled out in two stages over two financial years, 2024-2025 and 2025-2026, with State Government funding committed for the Changing Places facility and Federal Government funding for the carparking component of the project.

It's been a long time coming...

A new playground for Harvey has been a long time coming, and the journey to make it happen reflects the community's dedication to creating a vibrant space for families.

Back in October 2012, the idea first came to life when Council discussed the possibility of developing a new playground in Harvey’s Town Centre. The Shire began to work with key stakeholders to gather more information before moving forward. By May 2013, Council proposed setting aside funds in the 2013–2014 budget to design a concept plan for a playground at Snell's Park. This plan included potential funding support from Lotterywest for construction.

Although funding for the concept plan was carried over for several years, it wasn't continued past the 2020–2021 budget. This was due to challenges with securing grant funding and questions about whether Snell's Park, owned by the Public Transport Authority, was the best location for a playground.

With an impending State Government election in 2025, the Shire is lobbying both sides of the political fence for additional funding for the project.

On Tuesday, 26 November 2024, Council endorsed the Meredin Park Master Plan for public comment.

Your Voice Matters!

So, it's over to you to let us know your thoughts about the proposed location. Please go to the Stories tab below to share your feedback with us.

Thank you for taking the time.

Harvey Accessible Playground

Earlier this year, a passionate group of local parents brought a heartfelt request and petition to the Council, advocating for the development of an all-inclusive, accessible playground. Some of these parents shared personal stories about their children with special needs who couldn’t fully enjoy public playgrounds because the existing infrastructure didn’t meet their needs.

Under the inspiring tagline Every Child Deserves to Play, the group highlighted the growing need for a safe, inclusive space in Harvey where families and children of all abilities can connect and play together.

The Master Plan proposes utilising the existing area near Harvey Skatepark and Sir Peter Topham Swimming Pool on Hinge Road in Meriden Park. With a well-established grassed area with mature trees for shade, the location is family-friendly and will create a youth-focused precinct in Harvey.

The heart of this initiative lies in designing a playground that welcomes children of all abilities to play, grow, and learn side by side. The emphasis is on creating a space that fosters inclusion, acceptance, and accessibility, ensuring that no child is left out of the joy of play.

The Meredin Park Master Plan concept (above) highlights the key elements of this project which includes:

  • A proposed Fenced Dog Exercise Area.
  • All abilities playground and zipline location.
  • New public toilets with Male and Female Ambulant, UAT and Nationally accredited Changing Places Facility.
  • New carpark to provide connectivity to all features within the precinct.
  • Supplementary landscaping to complement new features.
  • Future location of BBQ and furniture is yet to be determined.

The proposed project is to be rolled out in two stages over two financial years, 2024-2025 and 2025-2026, with State Government funding committed for the Changing Places facility and Federal Government funding for the carparking component of the project.

It's been a long time coming...

A new playground for Harvey has been a long time coming, and the journey to make it happen reflects the community's dedication to creating a vibrant space for families.

Back in October 2012, the idea first came to life when Council discussed the possibility of developing a new playground in Harvey’s Town Centre. The Shire began to work with key stakeholders to gather more information before moving forward. By May 2013, Council proposed setting aside funds in the 2013–2014 budget to design a concept plan for a playground at Snell's Park. This plan included potential funding support from Lotterywest for construction.

Although funding for the concept plan was carried over for several years, it wasn't continued past the 2020–2021 budget. This was due to challenges with securing grant funding and questions about whether Snell's Park, owned by the Public Transport Authority, was the best location for a playground.

With an impending State Government election in 2025, the Shire is lobbying both sides of the political fence for additional funding for the project.

On Tuesday, 26 November 2024, Council endorsed the Meredin Park Master Plan for public comment.

Your Voice Matters!

So, it's over to you to let us know your thoughts about the proposed location. Please go to the Stories tab below to share your feedback with us.

Thank you for taking the time.

Tell us if you like the proposed Meredin Park Master Plan and the location of the Harvey Accessible Playground?

You need to be signed in to share your story.

All fields marked with an asterisk (*) are required.

Cancel
  • Share Accessibility on Facebook Share Accessibility on Twitter Share Accessibility on Linkedin Email Accessibility link

    Accessibility

    by Jenni, 30 days ago
    This playground is much needed in Harvey. Can I suggest councillors look at an App called Participate which is put together by a paediatric therapy organisation and they have scored playgrounds on their level of "inclusiveness" , things like the surfaces being easy for wheelchairs to manoeuvre on and flying foxes for children who need a lot of support, accessible toilet with a fold down bunk for larger children who may need changing. parking with easy wheelchair access to the playground.

    Lets make it fully accessible from the start.


  • Share About time! on Facebook Share About time! on Twitter Share About time! on Linkedin Email About time! link

    About time!

    by HarveyMum, 30 days ago
    The initial plans look promising! It would be highly appreciated by parents of young children if the playground had ample shade and was fully enclosed to prevent child escape artists. Access to toilets, BBQs, shade covered seating would be essential as well as equipment to suit kids and teens. Waste management and drainage will be a big aspect to consider, with winter rainfall potentially problematic.

    As a parent, it is really exciting to see this in the works!

  • Share Great Idea. on Facebook Share Great Idea. on Twitter Share Great Idea. on Linkedin Email Great Idea. link

    Great Idea.

    by Nicklup, about 1 month ago
    Harvey is a Beautiful country town. Over the past years residents have seen the town grow. Housing is affordable, we have a wonderful hospital and good medical services. There are many seniors who live in the area. These people have an active senior citizens group, bowls, men’s shed etc, but unfortunately there is still no heated pool for those who are recuperating from surgery, for general health and well being and good solid exercise for the aged. As Harvey grows, this should be a necessity.

    I love the idea of an all abilities playground. This is a much needed project... Continue reading

  • Share Playground for all on Facebook Share Playground for all on Twitter Share Playground for all on Linkedin Email Playground for all link

    Playground for all

    by King st, about 1 month ago
    As a grandmother to a 3yr old we often go to the play area located at the back of the play group centre in Harvey, it's walking distance from my house.

    Apex Park is a longer walk or a drive.

    Both parks are very basic and honestly not very challenging for young children building their skills and imagination.

    Neither provide public toilets, so when 'nanna' needs to visit the ladies, play time ends and back home we go.

    A new advanced play ground for all children with all abilities would be a wonderful component to the skate Park, which is... Continue reading

  • Share Master Plan on Facebook Share Master Plan on Twitter Share Master Plan on Linkedin Email Master Plan link

    Master Plan

    by Rocka, about 1 month ago
    As this site incorporates 3 venues and it appears parking will be reduced and trees removed make sure there is some shaded parking for those who want to use the park, in particular as the pool does not open till sun is at its best a bit of shade will be good
  • Share Great idea on Facebook Share Great idea on Twitter Share Great idea on Linkedin Email Great idea link

    Great idea

    by Vernice , about 2 months ago
    This is a great idea. Harvey could really benefit from a park like this.
  • Share A welcomed project for the town of Harvey on Facebook Share A welcomed project for the town of Harvey on Twitter Share A welcomed project for the town of Harvey on Linkedin Email A welcomed project for the town of Harvey link

    A welcomed project for the town of Harvey

    by AmyC, about 2 months ago
    A long overdue facility required by the town of Harvey! The proposed site makes sense given the skate park development. I would suggest that the plan represented includes the location of the bbq facilities and furniture so that the entire space is cohesive - even if the implementation is in stages, the plans should be developed entirely.

    I also recommend including the plans for shaded cover, especially over the playground. The facility as a whole will certainly be welcomed by the local community. Well done to the local group who championed this initiative for the betterment of the town!


  • Share Playground Proposal on Facebook Share Playground Proposal on Twitter Share Playground Proposal on Linkedin Email Playground Proposal link

    Playground Proposal

    by Rebecca Carbone, about 2 months ago
    Absolutely love the proposal for this project! Especially it's inclusive aspects for children with all abilities/disabilities.

    Definitely feel the future BBQ area is something that cannot be missed, as this area continues to grow and become a 'hub' for the town, I feel this would be a missed opportunity if left out. Updates to carpark is also neccessary as there is so much space to add extra bays which I feel will help attract more people to the area! Can't wait to see this come to light!

  • Share Playground on Facebook Share Playground on Twitter Share Playground on Linkedin Email Playground link

    Playground

    by RikkiPulfer, about 2 months ago
    The concept plan is a great step forward. As a parent of younger kids having the skate park and playground next to each other is fantastic. The inclusion of toilets will be a added benefit.

    The redevelopment of the carpark is positive as the existing infrastructure requires regular maintenance (potholes). Fully support the concept plan and wish the Shire success in obtaining funding.

  • Share Big tick on Facebook Share Big tick on Twitter Share Big tick on Linkedin Email Big tick link

    Big tick

    by Karen, about 2 months ago
    I was at the Council meeting when this proposal was put forward.

    I was there to put a proposal for self closing gates at Brunswick oval.

    I was very taken with their proposal and thought it is a fantastic idea for Harvey.

    I totally support it and hope the Council does not skimp on the facilities to be provided

Page last updated: 02 Jan 2025, 11:34 AM