The search for Australia’s best playground is over. The general public and a panel of experts have chosen the City of Melbourne’s Nature Play at Royal Park as Australia’s best public play zone.

The Australian Institute of Landscape Architects organised the competition as a way of celebrating public play spaces – and the innovative landscape architects who create them.

The competition was also designed to inspire communities.

The contest drew 45 submissions, including adventure playgrounds, cross-fit circuits, waterplay parks and senior fitness courses.

Nature Play’s winning design is located next to Melbourne’s new Royal Children’s Hospital. The playground respects the local heritage of the site, by focusing on the seven seasons of the Wurundjeri. The space has also been designed to encourage interaction between patients and staff. The playground was designed by the City Design Studio, City of Melbourne.

The jury described the playground in the following way.

“Nature Play at Royal Park is designed to invite users to look deeper to witness the layers and seasonal change in the playspace. The jury applauds the approach, as it sets the standard for building appreciation, engagement and respect for the space at a city scale, and builds on the unique heritage of Royal Park, building knowledge and ensuring that future generations become active stewards of the natural environment.”

The AILA also awarded the following prizes:

ACT/NSW prize

Lizard Log Playground, Sydney by McGregor Coxall and Western Sydney Parklands Trust

VIC/TAS prize

Valley Reserve Sparc, Melbourne by Playce

WA/NT/SA/QLD prize

Yokine Regional Inclusive Play Space, Perth by Aecom

Innovation Award

Play[ground], Sydney by Hassell, Archikidz and Sydney Living Museums

The jury members were:

- Daniel Bennett AILA, National President

- James Grant FAILA, Principal Urban

- Gary Ford AILA, Director, Outlines Landscape Architecture

- Dr Barbara Chancellor – RMIT University & Play Australia

The winners receive an all-expenses paid trip to the home of leading playground manufacturer Lappset in Finland. Regional winners will receive tickets to the 2016 International Festival of Landscape Architecture - NOT IN MY BACKYARD.

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