Adventure awaits at new playgrounds

Published on 24 January 2025

Climb, swing and slide your way across Onkaparinga’s newest playgrounds.

Little ninjas are out in full swing, tackling the City of Onkaparinga’s newest playground at Karingal Reserve in Port Noarlunga South.

The Ninja Warrior-inspired playground is hitting the high bar of adventure play with even the youngest daredevils. 

Merging fitness with fun, the playground features a rope climbing tower, a mini warped wall, a monkey bar spin traverse, ninja pads and flying fox, as well as slides, swings and a nature play area.

The upgrade of the reserve – jointly funded by the council and a $500,000 grant from the federal government through Member for Kingston Amanda Rishworth – also includes a new fitness station, barbecue facilities, picnic shelter, solar lighting, drinking fountain and landscaping. The new features complement the existing skate park, multi-use courts and soccer pitch.

Karingal Reserve is one of eight playground upgrades completed last year, offering kids – and big kids at heart – a world of imaginative play and adventure across the suburbs.

Together the council and state and federal governments invested approximately $3.1 million into these spaces.

City of Onkaparinga Mayor Moira Were says the spaces have been designed to spark creativity, encourage physical activity, connect people with nature and bring people together.

“Working in partnership with the state and federal governments, we’re able to provide safe and accessible public spaces that meet the needs of a growing population and offer opportunities for exploration, play and community connection,” Mayor Were said.  

Also making the list of recently completed playground upgrades is Jessamine Reserve in Reynella, which has become a go-to spot for families looking to enjoy the great outdoors.

The playground includes swings, slides, an animal springer, monkey bars, climbing structures, a cubby creator and a steel drum that encourages children to experiment with different sounds and musical patterns.

The reserve is also home to a 100m running path, a basketball half court, picnic shelter and a grassed area for recreational activities.

Future playground upgrades – along with park and reserve projects – will be guided by the council’s Open Space Strategic Management Plan 2025-30.

Developed with the community’s input, the draft plan is available for community feedback.

The draft plan focuses on sustainable, quality spaces that meet the needs of a growing population, and prioritises larger, regional facilities while responsibly managing smaller neighbourhood spaces.

“The community made it clear during the first round of engagement that they value quality over quantity,” Mayor Were said.

“Our open space projects will be delivered in alignment with our Long Term Financial Plan and Strategic Asset Management Plan, ensuring we enhance the quality of our open spaces in a financially responsible way, that doesn’t create an unsustainable burden for future maintenance costs.”

To read the draft plan and share your feedback, visit onkaparingacity.com/yoursay by Sunday 23 February.

Playgrounds completed in 2024

Edgehill Walk, Noarlunga Downs

Greenbank Grove, Hackham West

Jessamine Avenue, Reynella

Karingal Reserve, Port Noarlunga South

Knox Park, Morphett Vale

Malbeck Drive, Reynella East

Wakefield Reserve, Morphett Vale

Woodswallow Drive, Happy Valley

Playground upgrades scheduled for completion in 2025

Balee Park, Happy Valley

Callander Park, Old Reynella

Esplanade, Port Noarlunga South

Lance Hawke Park, Morphett Vale

Old Noarlunga Oval, Old Noarlunga

Richards Park, Morphett Vale

Wilfred Taylor Reserve, Morphett Vale – all-ability playground extension

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Oliver at Karingal Reserve