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Hop, skip and jump away from open space

Madelin HayesThe West Australian
Shorehaven’s Treasure Island Adventure Playground.
Camera IconShorehaven’s Treasure Island Adventure Playground. Credit: Supplied.

Gone are the days of a chain metal swing and a hot metal slide as the centrepiece of the local park.

Developers today are pushing the limits of conventional public open spaces, with unique and innovative design attracting visitors and families across Western Australia.

Themes and imaginative concepts create one-of-a-kind spaces for all ages and abilities to enjoy, making public spaces an attractive drawcard for homebuyers.

According to Urban Development Institute of Australia (UDIA) WA CEO Tanya Steinbeck, the value of public spaces has grown with block sizes shrinking to under 400sqm.

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“Having access to public open space for active and passive recreation activities is certainly valuable to many new homebuyers,” she said.

“In fact research has shown the value of public open space in close proximity to home can be measured, with evidence to suggest a small local park can add approximately $20,000 to the value of a property within 300m.”

Beyond just the bricks and mortar, developers also focus on community development and opportunities for residents to meet and form relationships through community events, movie nights and markets.

“It is also important these spaces appeal to a wide range of ages, abilities and interests. Many local parks now feature a range of facilities, from dog agility parks and nature and adventure play to pump tracks and sporting fields, as well as the usual playground equipment and barbecue facilities,” Ms Steinbeck said.

A standout community facility for Ms Steinbeck is Amberton Beach by Stockland – a UDIA WA Award for Excellence 2020 award winner.

The precinct creates an inclusive space, with high-quality amenities adding life to the pristine beachfront location of the Amberton Beach community.

“The Amberton Beach coastal precinct was designed to connect the community through its well-planned design and includes the Lighthouse Park, dining options and beachside amenities,” Stockland WA General Manager Col Dutton said. “The precinct ensures a wide choice of passive and active activities, as well as ensuring all residents and visitors can access the stunning coastal views.

“Lighthouse Park provides something for everyone. It’s an interactive space for families with an impressive design aimed to inspire children’s imaginations and encourage creative play through the equipment provided.”

The Lighthouse Park even encourages parents to unleash their inner big kid, with a heavy ocean theme conveying an 8.5m lighthouse landmark, sandpit and pirate ship.

Also combining the natural elements at the heart of Perth’s northern suburb Darch, Parcel Property is launching its new Kinmore Green development in spring of this year.

“As part of Stage One, Parcel will deliver nearly five hectares of public open space, featuring children’s play equipment, a football oval and clubrooms for local sporting groups,” Parcel Property Land Development General Manager Jeremy Cordina said.

Only 20km from the CBD, Kinmore Green is a family-focused development with plenty of green space and parkland.

Suburbs across the state are merging the benefits of green spaces with ambitious infrastructure reuse.

Peet Managing Director and CEO Brendan Gore said homebuyers were looking for more space for their families in proximity to parks, providing a sense of community.

“At Peet we’ve seen how parks play a vital role in helping families connect, so we are continually finding ways to draw families in and make parks a central part of our communities,” he said.

“We have a fantastic Treasure Island Adventure Playground in Shorehaven, which gives kids the chance to find the long lost buried treasure with their very own Captain’s notebook.

“Our themed parks are a huge success – we also have Shipwreck Cove that features a large nautical-themed playground, a lookout with sweeping views of the stunning Indian Ocean, scooter and BMX tracks.”

Other Peet parks in development are based in Brabham, Golden Bay and Movida Estate in Midvale, along with the Traffic Park and Playground launched at The Avenue in Hilbert last month.

“It’s important to consider the different uses and needs of the space – play equipment for the children but also walking paths for those using it for exercise, as well as seating for the parents who want to rest while they watch their kids,” Mr Gore said.

“Of course, cleanliness and security is also key, without these you aren’t able to provide an open, inviting space, so we make sure that our parks are always well maintained.”

See the special Land Report in today’s edition of West Real Estate.

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