project
Jingili Playground
| Client | Northern Territory Government |
| Location | Darwin, NT |
| Completion Year | 2021 |
| Sector | Landscape Architecture |
| Project Manager |
Fiona Eddleston
Director, Landscape Architect
Bennett Architecture collaborated with City of Darwin to create an all-abilities play space within Jingili Water Gardens. Through extensive consultation and a logical design process, the park was planned for accessibility, safety, and stormwater management. The final design integrates bespoke play elements, water play, nature zones, seating, shade, and amenities, enabling inclusive experiences like climbing, balancing, and sensory play. Thoughtful landscaping and zoning ensure comfort for families, carers, and diverse user groups.
Key objectives
Design for inclusivity with play spaces accessible to all abilities.
Enhance family experience by creating areas for shared play and relaxation.
Integrate safety and functionality through logical planning and stormwater management.
Provide diverse play opportunities including water, nature, and sensory elements.
Support carers and community with seating, shade, and practical amenities.
Project Story
When everyone in the family can relax and play together you know you have designed a facility that is loved and will have repeat use over the years.
We worked with City of Darwin’s Recreation and Maintenance teams to design an all-abilities park within the Jingili Water Gardens. The design process included consultations with recreation staff, artists, Council Engineers, our consulting Engineers, Parks maintenance staff and suppliers. We worked through a logical design process from concept design to tender documentation. We surveyed the space to determine the fit and function of the space within the overall park surround, for mobility access, location of all abilities change rooms and ablutions and for stormwater management. Once these items were resolved and located in the park environment, we could then design the play space.
The play space includes play elements – bespoke play items, water play, specific experience equipment, shade, seating, nature play, services, pathways, surface materials, zoning for passive and active play, scale for small, medium and large groups to play in the same place, drinking fountains, bins, picnic facilities, lighting and planting. We designed these elements to ensure all users could experience running, jumping, spinning, bouncing, crawling, climbing, balancing, sensory touch and feel, heights, springing and discovery play. In amongst these activities, we put seating and landscape to subtly divide spaces, facilitate carers watching play and add play materials.
