Playgrounds renewals are scheduled every 10-15 years (approximately) but will be undertaken earlier if the equipment is no longer fit for purpose or is removed as part of another project.

The City undertakes a yearly condition audit of its playground equipment to determine the useful life expectancy.

As part of our commitment to protecting our environment, we prioritise the natural shade from surrounding trees to support happy, safe play experiences.

When choosing the location of playground equipment and parkland furniture, we consider the position of shade cover during popular play times and how it moves across the day.

In line with the Public Open Space strategy, we no longer install shade sails over playgrounds.

Many neighborhood parks unable to accommodate larger infrastructure due to their size (e.g. Centenary Park playground shade sails, Volcano Playground shelters), so we're actively planting new trees and caring for existing ones around our playgrounds.

Our Urban Greening Grant program saw 240 new trees planted around neighbourhood playgrounds to enhance future shade opportunities and encourage native wildlife to our green spaces.

We believe the best play experiences happen when children are able to interact with their surroundings freely. Fencing can restrict the natural flow of play and interaction, and reduces the accessibility of play spaces to children and parents with disabilities.

Instead, we use natural barriers so children can identify the play areas. These include garden landscaping, low limestone or timber block walls and changes in the ground surface.

We encourage parents and guardians to actively engage in their children's play while supervising their activities.

Risk management is an important step in the planning and design of play spaces for children.

All elements within our playgrounds comply with the relevant Australian Standards for playgrounds at the time of installation, and we regularly undertake detailed inspections and maintenance works to ensure they remain compliant.

There will always be an element of risk with any playtime activity, so complying with Australian Standards ensures we take an evidence-based approach to playground safety, and find the right balance between risk minimisation and creating fun, stimulating environments for kids.

We provide a diverse range of playgrounds so families can choose the play environment that best suits their needs and preferences. We encourage parents and guardians to actively engage in their children's play while supervising their activities to help create a safe, welcoming environment for everyone.

Softfall is the surface used under and around a playground to help keep it safe. An effective softfall surface is one that absorbs the energy of a child’s fall, over a long period of time and over a great distance. This means a child will sink into the surface and not rebound.

In line with the City’s Public Open Strategy, our preferred softfall surface is sand, as it is cost effective, easy to install, doesn’t deteriorate with usage and more importantly - children are less likely to “bounce” which can compound injuries.

All playgrounds within the City that feature a sand softfall safety surface are cleaned regularly as part of our annual maintenance plan. Playground safety is a top priority, and we are committed to ensuring a safe and hygienic environment for children to play!

The first step is to engage with surrounding residents and community members to find out how the existing equipment and park is used, age groups in the area, and the preferred types of play experiences.

This is then reviewed alongside the size and location of the park, existing infrastructure, and opportunities for landscaping and vegetation.

The City then issues a 'Request for Quote' which invites playground equipment suppliers to submit designs and ideas that will fulfil the needs identified during community consultation and site assessment.

The submissions are assessed using the City's procurement process, and we liaise directly with the successful supplier to further tailor the equipment for the space (components, colour etc).

The removal of existing equipment, installation of new equipment, and testing of the playground can take between 4 to 6 weeks.

During the works period the playground will be closed and fenced off for safety.

Factors like poor weather, site access and availability can sometimes delay completion of a new playground. While this can be inconvenient, it's important the end result is safe, high quality, and meets community needs.

Many of the steps involved in playground installation cannot take place in wet weather. This includes the use of some machinery.

To help installation stay on time we schedule works and maintenance during the dryer months, making sure to avoid school holiday periods where possible.

Playground renewals take place when the existing equipment is reaching the end of its useful life. This means the equipment has deteriorated and may no longer be safe to use.

All old playground equipment is decommissioned and either recycled or disposed of. Due to public liability concerns we do not sell or give old play equipment away as the equipment has reached the end of its manufactured life and is no longer fit for purpose.

You can report damaged playground equipment or other park maintenance through the online portal available via our website.

You can also report damage by contacting the City on belmont@belmont.wa.gov.au or calling 9477 7222 during business hours.