Frequently Asked Questions

The existing playground at Jan-doo Park was installed in 1998. 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.

Jan-doo Park playground, however, is a unique circular design with a stepping stone play feature incorporated into the limestone edge. The space available restricts the size and type of equipment that can be used. For example, there is no room for swings alongside the equipment as they require a bigger soft fall area. Significantly smaller play equipment would need to be installed in order to accommodate swings.

The new playground will include a new shade sail.

The budget for the new playground is approximately $130,000 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.

The City expects the new playground will be installed and open to the community in mid-2025. 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. 

The stepping stone play feature incorporated into the limestone edge will be retained at Jan-doo Park playground.

Sand is preferred to rubber flooring as it stays shock-absorbent for much longer. Local playgrounds, like the one at Jan-doo Park, 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.

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 (External link).