Golden Horizons Final Design
The Golden Horizons upgrade is intended to open the park and playspace to a wider range of visitors by providing a greater range of play options, accessible connections, and also ensure the equipment remains safe, durable, and enjoyable for the next 20 years.
The upgrade will bring the two play spaces together, replacing the aged play equipment with new and modern equipment, and providing a fun play area for kids with bikes, scooters and skatebords. (Please note that while a playground may still look serviceable at first glance, many of its components may be reaching the end of their intended lifespan. Over time, equipment can deteriorate in ways that aren’t always visible: materials weaken, safety standards evolve, and wear and tear from regular use accumulates).
The updated play equipment will meet current safety standards and is designed to last another 20 years.
The proposed design includes ;
- Combined swings including a nest swing, baby bucket and normal sling swing
- A climbing structure with junior dual slides and a taller curved tube slide
- A climbing and hangout net cube which includes more challenging climbing
- Play panels for imagination and tactile play, and
- A balance trail with nature play elements
The bike loop will add a whole new dimension of play to Golden Horizons Park by opening it up for kids on bikes and other wheels. The final design of the bike loop has combined the strongly expressed preference in community feedback for both imaginative bike play with street signs, including a swivel Stop/Go construction sign and a Petrol Station to help teach road rules, and agility features to help kids improve balance and riding skills. It is hoped that the bike loop will help learners build riding skills which will lead to even more fun at the recently constructed pump track at Buttenshaw Park in Springwood or mountain bike riding elsewhere in the Blue Mountains.
Complimenting the play opportunities will be group seating away from the play equipment for teenagers to hangout, walking groups to meet up or parents and carers to enjoy a quiet coffee while the kids play.
This final design responds to the strong support the community expressed for these play features and included specific requests including a bucket style baby seat, a low slide for toddlers, and for play items that will appeal to older children.
The community consultation also included ideas and requests for other items which could not be included due to grant requirements, park suitability or budget constraints. These ideas and requests have been noted and may be explored for inclusion in future works.