Southern Grampians Shire Council are encouraging community members, in particular our young families, to provide input as we design a new children’s play space at the Hamilton Botanic Gardens.
The removal of the old animal enclosure and small aviaries, together with the reduction in the size of the depot area, has provided the opportunity to create a new nature-based children’s play space and garden along the Martin Street side of the gardens.
The new space will revitalise this under-utilised area and provide new recreational and gathering opportunities for children and their families. It is envisaged that this space may include a new entrance, nature-based, non-equipment play options and an all-abilities sensory garden and picnic area. It will be a space that provides exciting and interactive opportunities for children of all ages and ability levels.
The creation of this new space, which will complement the Council's Positive Ageing Strategy and Community Inclusion Plan, is the next phase in the delivery of the Hamilton Botanic Gardens Master Plan, adopted in 2015.
Recreation Coordinator Darren Ames said Council have engaged Outerspace Landscape Architects to prepare the design for the children’s play space.
“We would love to hear from those in our community who regularly use the Botanic Gardens with their families. We want to know how your kids love to play, what would engage them and what is most important to you as a family when it comes to gathering spaces,” Mr Ames said.
“We encourage everyone to please take the time to fill out our short survey to help inform this important project for the future of the Hamilton Botanic Gardens,” Mr Ames concluded.
The survey is available on the Southern Grampians Shire Council website ‘Have your Say’ page https://www.sthgrampians.vic.gov.au/Page/Page.aspx?Page_Id=1397
For more information on this project, please contact Recreation Manager Darren Ames on (03) 5551 4329.