Construction has started on a $4.8 million feature park in the 3,600-home Sienna Wood Estate in Hilbert.
The park is being constructed by Stockland and will span 6.6 hectares, three times the size of the WACA grounds.
It will also include a unique shipwrecked-themed inclusive playground designed for all children including those with disability to play alongside each other.
The Touched by Olivia foundation helped design the playground.
Touched by Olivia founder Justine Perkins lost her baby daughter Olivia at just eight months old in 2006 to a rare disease.
Since then she has been pushing for more inclusive playground across the country after realising many children with disabilities were denied the opportunity to play.
Ms Perkins said with one in five Australians living with a disability, it was fantastic to work with Stockland creating inclusive parks across WA and nationally.
“Our playgrounds provide easy access and fun, stimulating play areas – but they are really about celebrating the ability all children, parents and grandparents share in playing and having fun,” he said.
“We hope that if children can start on a level playing field, playgrounds like this will lead to creating a community that is more inclusive.”
Stockland WA general manager Col Dutton said the new park would take up prime position beside Sienna Wood’s future town centre and primary and high schools.
It will feature a network of walkways and cycle paths to connect the park’s all-abilities playground, a dog exercise area, fitness zones and shaded BBQ areas.
“The new feature park is Stockland’s largest ever in WA, and will encourage children of all abilities to embark on a journey of exploration, providing them with endless outdoor fun as they let their imaginations run wild.”
City of Armadale mayor Henry Zelones said when completed the playground would become a landmark in the city.
The park and shipwreck-themed playground was expected to open in October 2017.
