Wax Design, the Landscape Architects, met the brief to create an interactive and sensory space that “connects children to nature through play”. Celebrating Earth’s diverse biomes (biological communities) their inspired design features a creek to represent aquatic systems and water play, a sandpit to demonstrate a hot desert, a rope climb, aerial walkway and elevated timber pods to reflect the great forest canopies.

While innovation was a key focus for Nature’s Playground, so was accessibility and this had real design implications. Four metres above the ground, it lets children mimic the way animals move through the treetops and provides sweeping views across the zoo and parklands. Thanks to the access lift, this play creation is something children of all ages and abilities can enjoy.

The high traffic, high energy nature of the play structure meant construction had to be of the highest quality to ensure all design elements and play equipment would withstand heavy daily use. 

Central to this was the need for robust footings to provide ongoing stability for every structure. Timber was heavily specified as part of the ‘natural’ design aesthetic, necessitating important choices around durability, affordability and constructability.

Unseasoned hardwood was recommended for the walkway to provide enhanced traction. The timber is detailed to FORGE’s (formerly Fleetwood Urban) exacting standard to ensure minimal shrinkage and longevity. 

Minimising disruptions to zoo patrons was another key part of the construction brief, something that was successfully achieved by fabricating and pre-assembling the main design elements off-site.

Nature’s Playground is filled with design and construction innovations. While many can’t be seen, one of the most visual is the stunning elevated walkway. The utilisation of stainless steel wire netting infill panels, (rather than traditional balustrade) maximises the visibility and the feeling of fun and freedom, it provides a ‘never possible before’ aerial view of the animals from a safe and secure vantage point high above the zoo.

• High quality, high durability hardwood in keeping with the natural zoo setting
• Bespoke tower with viewing platform
• Four-metre high aerial walkway
• Three timber play pods with adjoining footbridges
• Stainless steel wire netting to maximise visibility
• Wheelchair access throughout including a lift to the walkway

As a public play structure enjoyed by hundreds of families every day, safety was a critical consideration. By carefully translating the initial designs into a safe and practical reality, it was Fleetwood’s responsibility to meet the stringent Australian standards for playgrounds and ensure the ongoing wellbeing of all children who use Nature’s Playground, now and into the future.