Yarralumla Reserve

The upgrade of Yarralumla Reserve created a community-focused open space that offers a variety of recreation and play opportunities, building on the unique characteristics of the site. As a lone playspace in its catchment area, the reserve needs to be a space with broad appeal.

Its existing topography and ‘bush’ setting, provides a wonderful opportunity to invite play and activities both within and around these landscape qualities. Sweeping planted swales adjacent to the playspace utilise low-lying areas that had been swampy, offering bouldered crossing points into the renewed playspace. 

Alongside traditional elements of swings and slides, the design centres a nature-based play approach with logs and boulders set within garden beds and the existing backdrop of established ellipse of trees. The upgrade also offers elements that invite agility and parkour activities to create an inclusive, fun and regenerated reserve for the area.