Your Say Inner West
We are committed to delivering spaces across the Inner West so that everyone with all abilities can benefit from play.
In May 2022, Council committed to establishing a flagship inclusive play space in every Inner West ward and we partnered with Touched By Olivia to help us do that.
The first was at King George Park, Rozelle which opened in September 2024. The second will be at Richard Murden Reserve, Haberfield which is due to open in July this year and the third will be Yeo Park, Ashfield opening in 2026.
The next will be Midjuburi Playground at Steel Park.
We want to hear from you to help inform the new design and to create a space that you will visit, love and enjoy.
A flagship inclusive playspace is a playground that has a large area which includes a variety of equipment for different ages and abilities.
The design follows the NSW Everyone Can Play Guidelines which means everyone can get there, stay there and play there successfully.
As the commitment from Council was to establish an inclusive playspace in every ward, Council and staff from Touched By Olivia conducted site visits across the Inner West and the most appropriate space was chosen in each ward.
This is due to various factors such as:
At its meeting on Tuesday 18 February 2025, Council adopted Aboriginal names for the five Inclusive Playgrounds.
Steel Park is located on Illawarra Road Marrickville and borders the Cooks River.
We are building on what we created in 2019
In 2019, using community feedback and advice from Touched By Olivia, we upgraded the playground at Steel Park to become to the first inclusive playground in the Inner West Council area.
To ensure that this playground is consistent with the other inclusive playgrounds we've designed since, we are improving this space to make it more accessible to everybody.
This consultation will be open for 2 months with two in-person drop in sessions at the playground
Let us know your thoughts about Midjuburi Playground
We want to know how we can improve the accessibility of this playground.
Let us know what is working, what needs improving and what you think will make everyone be able to come and enjoy.
Last day to provide feedback is Sunday 17 August 2025.
Contact our Parks Project Manager:
| Name | Holly Cowdery |
|---|---|
| Phone | 02 9392 5743 |
| holly.cowdery@innerwest.nsw.gov.au |
Timeline item 1 - active
Initial engagement open
We are inviting the community to share their thoughts - we are here.
Timeline item 2 - incomplete
Under review and drafting design
We are reviewing all feedback and drafting a concept plan. We will report back on what we heard during the consultation.
Timeline item 3 - incomplete
Second engagement open
We are asking your feedback on the draft concept plan. Have we got it right?
Timeline item 4 - incomplete
Finalising the design
Where possible we will amend the concept plan based off the feedback received. We will also report back on what we heard about the concept plan.
Timeline item 5 - incomplete
Construction
Construction is taking place.
Timeline item 6 - incomplete
Come and play!
The new playground is opened.
At its meeting on 18 February Council made the following decisions about the Dual Naming of Local Parks and Ovals.
Join us for the opening of the new King Geroge Park Inclusive Playground on Saturday 7 September, 10am-12pm.
Construction on the new inclusive playground has begun and is scheduled to be completed by the end of June 2025.
The draft concept plan for the new playground.
The new playground opened on Wednesday 6 November 2019.
C0522(1) Item 25 Notice of Motion: Inclusive Playgrounds |
That Council: 1. Acknowledges all children in our community have a right to play, but that a lack of accessibility in local playgrounds prohibit many children living with disability from doing so; 2. Notes that children with disability can be better engaged in designing play spaces and thanks the Social Strategy Advisory Committee for developing co-design principles that aim to engage the community in the design and development of infrastructure, services and policies to ensure projects better responds to and meets the needs of the community; 3. Commit to establishing an inclusive playground in each ward by: a) Identifying a planned playground upgrade in each ward that could be appropriately developed as an inclusive play space, including King Georges Park, Rozelle; b) Working with a reputable third party to better engage children with disability and their families in the codesign of these play spaces, incorporating the co-design principles developed by the Social Strategy Advisory Committee; c) Allocating $50,000 in the 2022-2023 Budget for consultation, planning and design and $2 million for construction in 2023-2024 Budget; d) Directing staff to investigate further grant and funding opportunities; and e) Incorporating this approach into either or both of council’s draft Recreation Study and upcoming draft Playground Strategy, as appropriate. |
When designing the new playspace, we will follow the NSW Government Everyone Can Play guidelines and their three principles:
Touched by Olivia is a registered charity which improves the wellbeing of individuals and communities through inclusion and belonging.
We acknowledge that this land area traditionally belonged to the Gadigal and Wangal peoples of the Eora nation.
