Karawara Playground and Public Open Space Upgrade

The City invites Karawara residents to the opening of Kwel Court playground.

After community feedback in May 2016 on the upgrades to the playground and public open space in Karawara, the City has now installed a new playground with all new equipment, seating and picnic spaces.

Bring your own picnic or purchase a soft serve ice-cream or drink from the ice-cream truck.

When: 11am-2pm, Saturday 12 November 2016
Where: Kwel Court playground, Cnr Kardan Circuit & Kwel Court, Karawara
Cost: Free

For more information, contact the City or visit the Discover section on the City’s website.

The City received feedback in May 2016 on the upgrades to playground and public open space in Karawara and plans have now been finalised. New robust and active play equipment will be installed in a larger playground, and paths and facilities will be upgraded, including shade and seating in the central area of the Kwel Court Reserve. See the city’s website for more information.

The central playground and meeting area at Kwel Court Reserve, and the pocket park located south of the Gowrie Centre, will commence construction in August 2016. The pocket park project includes new trees, garden beds and paths linking to Walanna Drive’s footpaths, new picnic area with table, bench seating, bins and a drink fountain. The central playground and pocket park works are planned for completion by end of September 2016.

These upgrades are part of the Karawara Public Open Space Master Plan and Collaborative Action Plan (KMPCAP) that contains 14 projects that aim to ‘strengthen Karawara’s public open space and community character’. A program of project in public spaces will help improve the greenways, including tree planting, seating upgrades and wayfinding.

The Karawara community has already started working towards the goals in the collaborative action plan.

A small group of active community members is working alongside community development officers to develop and deliver a number of community-driven projects in the Collaborative Action Plan. Building strong relationships with local residents ensures that the actions undertaken are responsive to and appropriate for Karawara’s unique character.

If you want to help the City build the best future for Karawara, please get in touch with the project team to find out how. Contact the City's Community Development Team on 9474 0777 or enquiries@southperth.wa.gov.au to volunteer your time or ideas.

The City thanks participants for feedback on the draft designs for Kwel Court playground and public space in Karawara received during the stakeholder engagement process in April/May 2016. This contribution has assisted the City with the final design.

The City is installing a new playground on Kwel Court Reserve in Karawara and adding seating and other upgrades to the public open space through to Walanna Drive. Construction is scheduled to commence in July for completion by September 2016.

Through the Your Say South Perth engagement portal and written correspondence to residents in the surrounding Karawara area, approximately 32 direct responses where received, with 301 visits to the Your Say South Perth portal.

Comments were mostly positive with community members happy to see upgrades, additions and the age-range of play equipment, shade and a range of seating. Further suggestions included to introduce more shade/a shelter, include a barbecue in the meeting space, and playground equipment suggestions included a flying fox, bike/ scooter track, skateboarding infrastructure, a basketball hoop, more ‘nature based play’, and water play.

Other suggestions included concerns for safety and better lighting, possible installation of CCTV, toilets and parking; and more street footpaths for the suburb generally.

The City will not be installing toilets or more parking, as the City and other community members would like to encourage local use and access. The Karawara Greenways have an extensive path network, including in Kwel Court Reserve, which provides for walking, bicycles and scooters.

Modifications and improvement to the playground plan directly from the community participation include the addition of limestone boulders and tree logs to increase the nature-play feel; more natural tree shade on the northern side of the meeting area and near the seats to the south-east (to replace the existing close-to-wall trees). The plans will also include bench seating along the paths and bike racks installed to encourage cycling.

To view upcoming projects as part of the Karawara Community Vision, visit the City's website.