Group embellishments at the entry to provide clarity and a reference point, e.g. an Activity entry sign (at the primary entry) in a garden bed, bike racks and rails and a waste bin.
Perimeter safety fencing should be considered if there is a hazard, such as a busy road. (See LIM Fences and gates for further guidance on the positioning and design of safety fencing).
Crime Prevention Through Environmental Design (CPTED) principles apply.
As per AS 16330:2021, exercise equipment is not intended for installation in the immediate vicinity of children’s playgrounds. If exercise equipment is installed in connection with playground equipment, they shall be separated from general playing activities by an appropriate distance, fencing or other structural measures.
Play equipment should be positioned with regard to sun exposure. Shade trees and shade sails are to be sited to ensure equipment is protected from the sun. For example:
plant trees to the northern and western sides of the playground for future shade provision.
slides are to be positioned facing south to prevent excessive heating by the sun of the slide surface, unless otherwise shaded.
swings are to be installed facing north - south unless otherwise shaded.
When designing a play space, it must include access for a maintenance vehicle.
The vehicle access must be from the gate/entry point, to the playground footprint. It should be direct and without obstacles.
All pathways must be reinforced to cater for heavy vehicle use. (e.g vehicles with loads, cherry pickers, vehicles with work platforms). See LIM Paths trails and tracks for further guidance.
Ensure the nominated area for a vehicle access provides adequate space between embellishments to allow the vehicle to manoeuvre. Ensure concrete edging and garden beds are not in the path of the vehicle access.
Access is required for the following maintenance activities:
Installing and replenishing of undersurfacing.
Loose fill surfacing is transported as close as possible to the playground footprint to reduce the need of manual labour (use of wheelbarrow).
Playground equipment requires regular inspection, testing and repairs. Access may be required to the internal and external components, particularly tall play towers. Maintenance may require the use of elevated work platforms (EWP).
Consider positioning of trees to ensure tree branches are not impacted by the use of a maintenance vehicle.
See Figure 3: Design for maintenance vehicles in play spaces.
Figure 3: Design for maintenance vehicles in play spaces
Tobacco and Other Smoking Products Act 1998and regulations.
Outdoor ashtrays are to be located more than 10 m from children’s playground equipment.
Play spaces
All other embellishments
2.0 m
Offset from fences to avoid escapes.
Play spaces
Road, waterway, hazard
20 m
To protect children from a hazard.
Play spaces
Dog off leash park
Best practice would be to locate the two activity types in separate parks.
Site specific design required for all other layouts.
Avoid locating play spaces near dog off leash parks, particularly all-abilities play spaces.
Sunshine Coast Regional Council Local Law No. 2 (Animal Management) 2011 states that all animals are prohibited within 5.0 metres of a children’s playground or barbecue facility in a park or reserve.
Play spaces
Dog drinking bowl
5.0 m
To comply with Sunshine Coast Regional Council Local Law No. 2 (Animal Management)no animals within 5.0 m of a children’s playground.
Play spaces
Exercise equipment
Exercise equipment is not intended for installation in the immediate vicinity of children’s playgrounds.
As per AS 16630:2021exercise equipment is for youths and adults or users having an overall height greater than 1400 mm only. If exercise equipment is installed in connection with playground equipment, they shall be separated from general playing activities by an appropriate distance, fencing or other structural measures.
Toddler, kindergarten, junior and middle equipment should be co-located so that parents/carers can easily supervise their children of different ages.
There is benefit in creating combination units which cater for a wider range of ages, including equipment designed for adults/seniors. Placement of pieces and movement zones need careful design consideration by a suitably qualified play space professional.
Provide sufficient space away from playground equipment for stockpiles of material on site. Do NOT stored stockpiles on or near playground equipment to avoid damage to equipment.
Play space layout design is determined by the open space type, which also indicates the recommended level of embellishments. The following figures provide recommendations for play space layouts:
Figure 4: Plan – local play space
Figure 5: Plan – district play space
Figure 6: Plan – Sunshine Coast Wide play space
Figure 7: Plan – Sunshine Coast Wide (equal access) all abilities facilities play space (1 of 2)
Figure 8: Plan – Sunshine Coast Wide (equal access) all abilities facilities play space (2 of 2)
Figure 9: Plan – large district play space – natural activity area.
Figure 4: Plan – local play space
Figure 5: Plan – district play space
Figure 6: Plan – Sunshine Coast Wide play space
Figure 7: Plan – Sunshine Coast Wide (equal access) all abilities facilities play space (1 of 2)
Figure 8: Plan – Sunshine Coast Wide (equal access) all abilities facilities play space (2 of 2)
Figure 9: Plan – large district play space – natural activity area.
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Sunshine Coast Open Space Landscape Infrastructure Manual (LIM) DISCLAIMER
Disclaimer
Information contained in this document may change without notice and you should use the current material available from Council’s website and not rely on material previously printed or stored by you.
All figures and diagrams are intended to be used as an aid to design and include Council’s preferred elements but they are not intended to be prescriptive and may need to be varied as dictated by site specific factors. While Council has exercised reasonable care in preparing this document, it does not warrant or represent that it is accurate or complete. The Council will not accept responsibility for any loss, damage, cost or expense that you may incur as a result of the use of or reliance upon any material contained in this document.
This document is produced to convey general information and is not intended to constitute advice whether professional or legal. Any reference to legislation in this document is not an interpretation of the law. It is to be used as a guide only. Consult relevant authority websites for current documents, revisions and amendments.
Where a particular product or supplier is profiled in this document, Council is NOT nominating this product or supplier as the selected choice. Product/supplier information has been provided to allow users to source products which contain the correct elements required for Council embellishments. Each product profiled states ‘or equivalent’ which means that different products may be supplied provided they satisfy the identified performance criteria, recommended standards, equal access guidance and product specifications.
Product design, manufacture and installation requires appropriately qualified people to provide site specific solutions to ensure the embellishment is appropriately adapted to local conditions and data.
This document does not override requirements stipulated in a development approval. Project specific variations may be appropriate as a result of site, environmental or other constraints. Any variations to these standards must be approved in writing by council prior to commencement of variation works. Components of this document may be used within a contract document but users should undertake their own investigations to confirm the information is suitable for this purpose.
Drawings contained in this document are NOT FOR CONSTRUCTION.
Details in this document are deemed to be the minimum standard and the user may wish to apply a higher standard subject to approval by council.
Acknowledgements
Council wishes to thank all contributors and stakeholders involved in the development of this document.
Copyright
Sunshine Coast Regional Council (Council) supports and encourages the distribution of its material however, copyright protects this document. Council has no objection to this material being reproduced but only if council is recognised as the owner of the copyright and this material remains unaltered.
