Waters Ward Multigenerational Recreation Space

City of Darwin is seeking your feedback and ideas for a new Multigenerational Recreation Space in the Waters Ward that will cater to the diverse needs of our community and transform our suburbs.

The staged and prioritised project will include a multigenerational regional playground and other recreational elements; and lighting, pathway, car park and public toilet works.

The project will start with a community and stakeholder engagement process to understand the needs and aspirations of the community, as well as capturing their longer-term vision for the space.

The objective is to create an activated, inclusive and accessible space that caters to the diverse needs of our community and improves recreational amenities and open spaces.

This innovative space will offer a safe, engaging and fun environment for children, families and individuals of all ages and abilities in line with the Play Space Strategy 2023–2030.

Multigenerational play breaks down age barriers by providing amenities where people of all ages and abilities can come together and interact. The design will be informed by community and stakeholder feedback and accommodate varying abilities and mobility levels, ensuring inclusivity for everyone.

The area surrounding Malak Oval has been proposed as the preferred location due to its:

• central and accessible location within Waters Ward
• proximity to other recreational and community facilities
• proximity to schools
• proximity to local amenities
• proximity to transport corridors.

City of Darwin is engaging with the community to understand perspectives, values and aspirations to inform a draft design. Your participation and input will be valued and help shape the direction of this project. You can provide:

• your thoughts on the area surrounding Malak Oval as the ideal location for the recreation space
• preferred types of recreation and play elements and amenities
• suggestions on how to make the recreation space accessible for all abilities, such as inclusive play equipment, accessible pathways and seating areas
• ideas to ensure the recreation space reflects the cultural values and needs of the local community
• your vision for the recreation space in the Waters Ward across the short, medium and longer-term.

The findings and feedback gathered through the engagement process will inform the final location and guide the initial design of the multigenerational recreation space, with details to be shared publicly in the first half of 2025. Construction of immediate works is expected to begin during the dry season of 2025.

The design will also be informed by City of Darwin’s Play Space Strategy 2023-2030, which has been developed off the back of an extensive engagement process, insights from which indicated the community want quality play spaces that cater to all ages and access requirements.

Consultation has now been extended and is open until Friday 11 October 2024.

You can provide your feedback and ideas by completing our survey, visiting us at a community display or contacting True North Strategic Communication on 08 8981 6445 or feedback@truenorthcomm.com.au.