Yarra's Open Space Strategy recommended the need for 'a Play Strategy to guide the future provision, upgrade, design and management of play in open space across the City of Yarra'.

The Play Space Strategy aims to provide quality play spaces within walking distance of where people live, work and play in Yarra. We want to make sure that play spaces across the network complement each other, reflect local character and serve the needs of people of different ages and abilities.

Yarra's population is growing, and we know that access to open spaces is limited. The Play Space Strategy will help us to prepare for the future by providing a strategic framework to guide the planning, allocation, development and upgrade of play spaces in Yarra over the next 10 years.

"Play" means to engage in activity for enjoyment, recreation or wellbeing. Play happens in a range of play spaces and includes both structured and unstructured activities.

A play space can include

The second stage of community engagement took place between 15 July and 12 August 2024.

To develop the draft Play Space Strategy, we conducted research on best practice, innovative trends and examples of play spaces in other locations to apply to Yarra’s unique situation. We undertook site assessment at 37 facilities across Yarra to make observations and assess quality of design, fitness for use and condition.

In the first stage of community consultation, we asked you to tell us about your favourite play spaces, how you like to use play spaces and for your suggestions about where improvements could be made.

We heard what you told us, and your priorities, ideas and suggestions have helped shape the draft Play Space Strategy. We also received some insightful ideas from children and young people. Using your feedback, we developed a draft Play Space Strategy. We then asked you to take a look and let us know if the priorities and goals met your needs.

During this second stage we asked if the priorities and goals met community needs. In addition to an online survey, we held two in person events (Saturday 20 July at Gleadell Street Market and Thursday 25 July at Carlton Library) and five targeted workshops.

• Read the draft Play Space Strategy (PDF)
• View the draft Play Space Strategy Snapshot (PDF)
• Download the Principles and Goals (PDF)

Our Vision

"Yarra’s play spaces will enhance the wider open space network, be engaging and adaptable, connect to place and be welcoming to all our community".

The 5 principles

The draft Play Space Strategy contains 5 principles, each with a set of goals, that guide our vision for how we will plan for and deliver play spaces in Yarra.

The first Stage of community consultation took place from 23 October to 20 November 2023. We used your feedback to develop a draft Play Space Strategy.

To develop Yarra's first Play Space Strategy we began by investigating current research, innovative trends and examples of play spaces to apply to Yarra’s unique situation.

Before consulting with the community, we undertook site assessments (including playgrounds, skate, multi-use courts, recreational games and fitness equipment) at 37 facilities in Yarra to make observations and assess quality of design, fitness for use and condition.

A total of 334 community members provided feedback during this stage of engagement. This includes online participation as well as people who attended in person 'pop up' sessions, children's activities and direct outreach with young people.

We listened to what you told us, and your priorities and suggestions helped shape the draft Play Space Strategy. Read the Stage 1 Community Engagement Report for more details.

Engagement methods

• Your Say Yarra page with online survey
• targeted workshops with children, young people and key community representatives
• 3 face-to-face pop up engagement sessions at:
  • the Collingwood Children’s Farm (Children’s Week Activities)
  • Fitzroy North Primary School Fair
  • Gleadell Street Market in Richmond in October.

We asked you to tell us about your favourite play spaces, what you like about them and what we could do to improve play spaces in Yarra.

What did our community tell us?

You told us that the most important features of play spaces were:

• shade
• variety of play experiences
• equipment for all ages
• close to home.

You told us that your most preferred recreation activities were:

• social meetups/BBQs/picnics
• cycling and bike paths
• walking/jogging
• kick-to-kick.

Children's activity

Children were invited to draw their dream play space. The top 3 themes to emerge from these drawings were:

1. playground and play equipment
2. nature and Greenery
3. active and passive recreation.

Community workshop

Attendees at a workshop for community groups identified several challenges for Yarra’s play spaces, including:

• physical accessibility
• support for intellectual and/or sensory requirements
• support for older people
• proximity to different transport options
• a diversity of play experiences
• perceptions of safety
• building social opportunities for parents and caregivers
• cultural recognition and safety
• welcoming spaces for LGBTIQA+ people and their families.