Originally opened in 1998, Hays Paddock playground in Kew East was one of Australia’s first fully accessible playgrounds. Working with City of Boroondara, Jeavons Landscape Architects and Formium Landscape Architects led the design team in the recent redesign and upgrade of the playground.

Adding further layers to enrich how visitors engage with the playspace and its setting, are installations by the public art collective Murrup Biik, led by artists Christine Joy and Aunty Kim Wandin, including woodcarvings by Lewis Wandin-Bursil. These were commissioned by City of Boroondara.

The new design layout is integrated into the park network of Hays Paddock and Glass Creek Wetlands. The upgrade provides opportunities for accessible play for all abilities and introduces new, challenging and sensory play elements.

Key new elements include: 

• accessible routes to the new lookout tower 
• sculptural elements such as a long neck turtle, short fin eel, frogs and tadpoles 
• recycling of materials from the former playground into the new structure and playspace 
• improving communication opportunities for all users