The new playground sits alongside an existing playground, and will allow children, young people and adults with a disability to participate in a diverse outdoor experience.

The project included construction of:

• A large-sized trampoline big enough for a wheelchair, adults and groups of children
• Swings that cater to different ages and needs
• Wollongong’s very first human-sized mouse wheel
• Paperbark Forest Maze that offers a sensory experience through natural elements
• A rocky gorge made up of oversized boulders
• A Luna carousel with an accessible platform to accommodate wheelchairs
• A sensory garden for people to touch and smell a variety of textural plants
• A picnic area located near the pond to make the most of the view
• A new public artwork
• New accessible parking for mini buses.

The works were made possible with $500,000 in funding from the Australian Government’s Local Roads and Community Infrastructure (LRCI) Program, with $450,000 from the NSW Government’s Everyone Can Play Program, and $1.14 million funding from Wollongong City Council.

This is just one LRCI project delivered by Wollongong City Council, which has received more than $13.8 million over the life of the program.

The LRCI Program supports all Australian councils to deliver priority local road and community infrastructure projects in their region, creating jobs and long-lasting benefits for communities.

The Government has committed $3.25 billion to the LRCI Program over four phases, with every local government across Australia allocated funding.

For more information on the LRCI Program, visit: https://investment.infrastructure.gov.au/about/local-initiatives/local-roads-and-community-infrastructure-program.

The NSW Government contributed $450,000 to the Stuart Park All Ages All Abilities project as part of a wider $20 million commitment to inclusive play spaces. For more information, visit Everyone Can Play.

This project has also been funded and supported by a number of individuals, community groups and organisations through the Disability Trust.

Quotes attributable to Federal Member for Cunningham, Alison Byrnes MP:

“Every child of every ability should have a place to play.

“It is incredibly important that we have inclusive play spaces in our region.  Now that it’s complete, local families in Wollongong can experience the exciting spaces now on offer.

“This is another example of the Commonwealth Government’s commitment to working with State and local government to get high-priority community projects off the ground.”

Quotes attributable to the State Minister for Planning and Public Spaces, the Hon Paul Scully MP:

“The NSW Government provided $450,000 for the Stuart Park playground upgrades through the Everyone Can Play Program.

“I have supported this project since the idea was first put to me in 2021, I’m delighted the new inclusive playspace will be open before the Christmas holidays for locals and visitors to create happy memories near the city centre and North Beach.

“The Everyone Can Play program is delivering universally designed places for everyone in our community to enjoy. The design guideline has been updated so that inclusive playspaces better connect with the community, to Country, and nature and water.”

Quotes attributable to Lord Mayor of Wollongong, Councillor the Rev Gordon Bradbery AM:

“I am pleased to see the playground open in time for the summer school holidays.

“It is a great moment when we open another playground to add to the many other recreation and play opportunities throughout our city.

“This adds an inclusive well-designed play space that we can all be proud of as part of our desire to make our city’s facilities more accessible for everyone.

“The Stuart Park All Ages All Abilities Playground is an exciting project that has been some time in the making.

“I am delighted we’ve been able to deliver on our promise and unveil Stage 1 of the new playground for our community to enjoy over the summer.

“I think our community, as well as visitors to Stuart Park, will love this new playground that sits alongside the existing space and creates a level playing field, so to speak, for everyone.

“Stuart Park continues to be a popular space for family gatherings – particularly during the festive season. While some additional accessible parking has been added near the playground, people should plan ahead and consider what parking opportunities best suit their needs.

“Council will also work with Transport for NSW to lower the speed limit on a section of Cliff Road, north of George Hanley Drive. This will help improve safety for people travelling to and from Stuart Park.

“Stuart Park is our premier park and is a popular destination for our community as well as visitors to the region.

“We’re encouraging those who can do so, to drop and kiss friends and family at Stuart Park before parking at the Innovation Campus and walking the short distance over. Stuart Park is also on the e-scooter map and can be accessed by scooter or the Free Gong Shuttle Bus.”

Quotes attributable to Wollongong City Council General Manager, Greg Doyle:

“The All Ages All Abilities playground is joining the ranks of over 150 Council unique play spaces across the city.

“This project has been a real work of love, both by Council staff, as well as the many people, organisations, businesses who have supported its development every step of the way,” Mr Doyle said.

“While this playground is for everyone, it was inspired by and built for adults with disability. This new play space will offer a fantastic play experience for people of all ages and abilities. We’ve really thought about the design so the playground will offer something for everyone.”

Quotes attributable to Disability Trust CEO, Carol Berry:

“The Disability Trust is so proud to have been part of this project. This is a visionary idea, and it’s wonderful to see it come to life.

“We hope that the park brings joy to people with disability and their families. It’s absolutely fantastic that our Council, MPs and other stakeholders have been so supportive of this initiative – it says a great deal about the community.”

Quotes attributable to large sensory sculpture donor, Dr Shoshana Dreyfus:

“This playground is inspired by my son Bodhi, an adult with a severe intellectual disability who frequently gets taken to and loves playing on playgrounds.

“But playgrounds are built for 0-12-year-olds, and I thought that he and his mates should have a playground that’s the right size for them and which is designed with their needs in mind.

“That is exactly what this playground is and I am so grateful to everyone who has supported this playground.”