Some playgrounds are just a quick stop on the way home. Kensington Gardens Reserve playground is a whole-afternoon one, and it has just had a big makeover.
The much-loved adventure playground in Adelaide’s east reopened on Wednesday 28 October after the City of Burnside rebuilt the space from the ground up. The original equipment had reached the end of its life, so council took the opportunity to create something new with accessibility and inclusion at its core. The result is a nature-inspired playground designed for kids of all ages and abilities, with a few surprises tucked into the landscape.
What’s at the new Kensington Gardens playground?
The design is inspired by the area’s birdlife, and the centrepiece is a giant custom-built bird hide play structure. Around it, kids will find:
- A flying fox
- A cliff rider
- A trampoline
- Monkey bars and climbing equipment
- Swings
- A hamster wheel (expect a queue)
Artworks and treasure-hunt elements are hidden around the space too, making it a great spot for kids who like to explore every corner before they settle on a favourite.
A Kaurna bird trail to explore
There’s more to this playground than equipment. Council worked with Kaurna artist Allan Sumner and ACA Studios on the Kensington Wama Adventure Playground Bird Trail. It’s a series of sculptures, each one a bird found in South Australia.
At every sculpture, families can learn the bird’s Kaurna name and hear how it’s pronounced. It’s an easy, hands-on way to introduce kids to Kaurna language and the local environment. You might find yourselves spotting the real birds in the reserve’s trees afterwards.
Climb a giant eucalyptus log
Next to the main playground is a natural play area, and its star is a fallen eucalyptus log that stretches 6.7 metres long and weighs around eight tonnes. The City of Adelaide donated the tree, and it now gives kids a place to climb, balance and test their nerve the old-fashioned way.
An inclusive playground in Adelaide’s east
Accessibility was a key focus of the redesign. The playground includes:
- An accessible trampoline
- Inclusive play equipment
- Non-verbal communication signage
- Connecting paths with pram ramps that link the playground and the public toilets
For families who use wheelchairs or prams, or whose kids have different communication needs, these details make a real difference to whether a playground actually works for them.
The project was delivered for under $1 million. Council expects it to become one of Adelaide’s destination playgrounds, the kind families make a special trip for.
Plan your visit
Where: Kensington Gardens Reserve, corner of The Parade and West Terrace, Kensington Gardens SA 5068
Good for: All ages. Toddlers can stick to the natural play area while older kids head for the flying fox and cliff rider.
Facilities: Public toilets connected by accessible paths
Pack a picnic, bring the scooters and allow more time than you think you’ll need. Then pass the word on to the other families at the school gate.
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