Frequently Asked Questions

The existing playground at Bill McGrath Reserve was installed in 1993, with the nature play features added in 2015. Due to the age and condition of the playground, and in alignment with the City’s Play Space Plan 2022 (PDF, 6.87 MB), it has been identified for replacement in this year’s playground renewals program.

We don’t know yet exactly what the new playground will look like. First we’d like to hear from people who currently use the playground and we’ll use the feedback to decide what equipment will go into the new playground, together with the City’s Play Space Plan 2022 (PDF, 6.87 MB), industry guidelines, and other considerations such as budget.

The new playground will include a new shade sail and also a limestone block border around the edge, which are generally included in all City playground renewals.

Given the size of the reserve and the allocated budget, it is likely that the new playground will have a similar size and footprint to the existing playground.

The nature play features at the north-east end of the reserve (wooden pencils, stepping logs and platforms, etc.) will be assessed and refurbished as part of the playground replacement. Where necessary, some elements may be replaced with something more hard-wearing, but the overall layout will stay the same.

The budget for the new playground is approximately $230,000, which comes from the City’s Capital Works Program. Part of the project budget will be spent on other required works, such as a limestone retaining wall, new sand softfall, a new shade sail and refurbishment of the existing nature play elements. 

The City expects the new playground will be installed and open to the community in mid 2024. The playground will be closed for a few weeks during construction. We’ll provide updates here on Your Say South Perth as the project progresses, or alternatively you can sign up for project updates by email.

The City carries out annual playground safety inspections and condition assessments. This information is used to inform the Play Space Plan 2022 (PDF, 6.87 MB), which prioritises playground renewals and replacements based on age, safety, condition and demand. The Play Space Plan 2022 also identifies priority projects over the next 15-20 years.

The City does not seek community input on every playground replacement project. Whether or not the City engages depends on a number of factors, including the condition of the equipment, type of park or reserve where the playground is located, how widely it is used and the budget available. Playground replacements are also guided by the City’s Play Space Plan 2022 (PDF, 6.87 MB), which identifies priority projects over the next 15-20 years.

Nature play equipment uses components that are manufactured from natural products and preferably irregularly shaped, including logs (timber), marine rope, rocks and water.  While equipment made of timber and marine rope has many benefits, it also requires greater maintenance and doesn’t last as long, often making it a more expensive and less sustainable option.

Playgrounds in the City are designed to last for 30 years, to provide value for money and a more sustainable service. The City generally favours metal play elements as they last the longest and are recycled at the end of the playground’s life. 

Some nature play elements will be considered for the Bill McGrath Reserve playground, including rocks, limestone blocks, and other features that allow users to learn about or interact with nature.

The City of South Perth is working towards a more inclusive and accessible approach for all play spaces and playgrounds, as identified in the City’s Play Space Plan 2022 (PDF, 6.87 MB), which includes ‘access for all’ as a key principle: ‘Access for all is encouraged within the City’s play spaces, including specific population groups, such as people with disability, the elderly and children’. The City’s Access and Inclusion Plan 2022-2027 (PDF, 2.05 MB) (AIP) also informs our play spaces, playgrounds and accessible design elements.

Where possible, the City will endeavour to install features that allow all people to play on the equipment.

• Ask us a question and we’ll either answer you on the project page or email you directly.
• Phone 9474 0777 and ask to speak to someone about the playground replacement or  make a request on the City's website.

Sand is preferred to rubber flooring as it stays shock-absorbent for much longer. Local playgrounds, like Bill McGrath and Swanview, are designed to last for 30 years to provide value for money and a more sustainable playground. Rubber softfall has a useful life of only 8-10 years before it needs to be replaced and disposed of in land fill. Rubber costs 3.5 times more than sand softfall and can be topped upped and cleaned for the life of the play equipment. Sand softfall is also a play element.