Photo credit: National Parks and Wildlife Services
Construction of South Australia’s newest nature play space is now underway at Glenthorne National Park (Ityamaiitpinna Yarta), with significant stone works beginning to move into place.
The $2 million nature play space, built in partnership with the City of Marion, is a key aspect of the National Parks and Wildlife Service’s (NPWS) master plan for Glenthorne National Park.
A large tree tower is currently being constructed off-site, and will eventually be accompanied by a seesaw, spinner, creek crossing and fossil dig table, as well as traditional park facilities such as picnic and barbeque facilities.
Due to be completed later this year, the space will hopefully encourage kids throughout the southern suburbs to explore the great outdoors. Said to improve various aspects of child development, nature play aims to build vital skills and confidence in children, so they can play independently of parental control.
Not only will the play space be a transformative attraction for the community, but it will also rescue and repurpose recycled natural materials, such as hardwood from river red and spotted gum trees that was destined to be firewood.
Minister for Environment and Water David Speirs, when visiting in the site in February, reiterated his intention to improve South Australia’s national parks and improve visitor experiences in the area.
“Glenthorne is one of the jewels in the crown of our plan to provide South Australians with better access to green, open space and I look forward to seeing this site thrive for generations to come,” Minister Speirs said.
“We want this to become the St Kilda of the South and we will be looking at other successful nature play areas such as the one at Morialta to make sure this becomes South Australia’s premier adventure playground.”
NPWS’ Glenthorne National Park Master Plan, in addition to the nature play space, also involves the construction of visitor hub facilities, heritage precincts, wetlands, viewing platforms, trails, and campsites. Find the full master plan here.
For all the latest updates, visit the National Parks website.
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