AusLeisure

A multi-million dollar nature play space, forming part of South Australia’s newest national park, Glenthorne - Ityamaiitpinna Yarta has opened to the public.

Situated 16km south of Adelaide in O’Halloran Hill, the nature play space was built by one of Adelaide’s premiere playground developers, Climbing Tree. At 7000 square metres, this playground is one of the biggest nature play spaces in the state.

Climbing Tree is a South Australian based Nature Play design, construction and events company dedicated to providing opportunities for children to explore, create and reconnect with nature.

The adventure play space features three slides, a seesaw, spinner, fossil dig area, Kaurna carvings and sculptures. Also included are rope and log climbing features, a pendulum swing, cubby building, a 25m long flying fox and a wide range of accessible equipment to ensure children of all abilities can enjoy the space.

The adventure playground is surrounded by a purpose-built visitor hub that includes shelters, BBQs, toilets, picnic areas, carparks and heritage buildings.

Families and other visitors can explore the wider park on foot or bike using the trails that extend out from the visitor hub. The trails feature interpretive signs and an interactive app, which explores the Aboriginal and European history of the park, as well as its environmental restoration and activities for children.

The South Australian Government contributed $13.9 million towards the project including providing the land and funding for the main building works. The City of Marion contributed $2.2 million and the Commonwealth a further $0.85 million through the Adelaide City Deal.

The $698.6 million Adelaide City Deal is helping to create an innovative and vibrant city by growing the innovation economy, supporting population growth across South Australia and boosting Adelaide’s cultural and tourism economy.

Kris Hanna, Mayor, City of Marion noted “as a former president of Friends of Glenthorne and long-time campaigner for open space in this area, I am delighted that this much-anticipated adventure playground is now open to the community.

“It is highly unusual for a council to contribute $2.2 million for recreational facilities on state government land, but it shows how different levels of government can collaborate to achieve a great outcome for the community.

“We are also pleased to contribute financially towards a disability access toilet at Glenthorne in the coming financial year.”

Mike Williams, Executive Director National Parks and Wildlife Service added “the adventure playground and visitor hub were an important part of the community’s vision for Glenthorne National Park-Ityamaiitpinna Yarta.

“The Department for Environment and Water has collaborated closely with representatives from the Kaurna community to develop some of the new attractions, including an interactive “Footprints of the Past” trail.”

Related Articles

31st July 2023 - Kalgoorlie-Boulder Urban Landcare Group to deliver new nature playground at Karlkurla Bushland Park

2nd March 2023 - Additional funding secures all-abilities nature play space for East Fremantle Oval

27th February 2023 - Mangrove Cove all abilities nature play area unveiled in Bunbury

15th June 2022 - New ACT Government grants to foster outdoor nature play

22nd January 2022 - Shoalhaven’s Boongaree Rotary Nature Play Park officially opens

1st July 2021 - Imaginative nature play area opens at Phillip Island’s Koala Conservation Reserve

16th December 2020 - Event highlights the importance of developing Nature Play across NSW

22nd June 2020 - Nature play at the heart of new South Australian National Park

28th February 2020 - ACT Government opens applications for the 2020 Nature Play Grants program

7th November 2019 - Australia’s biggest Outdoor Classroom Day led by Nature Play WA

28th May 2018 - Cairns Nature Play recognised as Queensland’s top playspace

26th November 2017 - New Nature Play space opens in Cairns

19th October 2017 - ​Nature Play WA launches innovative outdoor play app

18th October 2017 - $4 million Nature Play Garden officially opened in Sydney’s Centennial Parklands

27th July 2017 - Queensland children to benefit from $1.87 million Nature Play funding

2nd January 2017 - Nature Play Queensland launches summer-themed activities

30th May 2016 - Nature Play at Melbourne’s Royal Park named Australia’s top playground

15th April 2015 - Brimbank Park welcome day marks commencement of Nature Play Week

5th May 2014 - Nature Play passports to encourage activity for children

27th February 2014 - Western Australia’s Nature Play initiative goes national

27th December 2012 - Nature Play sets the holiday challenge

---

Support our industry news service
We hope that you value the news that we publish so while you're here can we ask for your support?

As an independent publisher, we need reader support for our industry news gathering so ask that - if you don't already do so - you back us by subscribing to the printed Australasian Leisure Management magazine and/or our online news.