It’s playtime

Locals are making good use of the newly upgraded Karawatha Reserve in O’Sullivan Beach. An elderly man exercises his dog on the grass, a pair of teenagers practice handstands on the softfall rubber, and toddler Robbie rushes from one piece of equipment to the next. Fortunately his mother Adele Binns is also swift-footed and can keep up with Robbie’s cracking pace.

“It’s a real community hub,” Adele says. “The nature-play design is a drawcard for us and it’s so close. The play equipment is great; we love the in-built trampolines the most and that it gets kids outside in the sunshine and off the iPads and phones.”

The reserve, on Wakelin Terrace, is one of three community spaces recently upgraded by the City of Onkaparinga. As well as the popular in-built trampolines – a first for any reserve in the council area – there’s a basket swing for children of all abilities, a new shelter with seating and a drinking fountain with bottle filler. The construction budget was $230,000.

Morphett Vale’s Waverley Way reserve received $250,000 worth of improvements, including a teepee climbing structure and slide, a basket swing, sensory and music play areas, pod seating, a drinking fountain and a shelter with a picnic setting.

The reserve at Chamberlain Drive, Christie Downs, was given a $185,000 upgrade including a playground with a double slide embedded in an embankment, spinning dishes, swings and stepping stones.

The three upgrades are inclusive of children of different ages and their designs and facilities were informed by public consultation. Adelaide firm Wax Designs partnered with council on the projects.