Sensory Playspace at Wellesley Reserve now open

Published on 20 December 2019

A unique playspace, the first of its kind in Monash, has opened at Wellesley Reserve (Glen Waverley).

The new gardens, artwork and play items have been installed to support the existing play pieces. The new equipment adds a sensory play experience that is designed to engage children with additional needs. New items include accessible pathways with varying artworks and textures, sound sculptures, funny mirror and seated spinner.

The design of the playspace by Council's City Design team, with input from the community, was to create an inviting and playful environment full of sensory design elements, inspired by the existing elements of the site, such as the mature Eucalypt trees and resident birds, and further reinforced with the addition of sensory play elements, such as tyre sound bouncers, a wavy mirror and a sound flower.

The playspace includes selected ornamental and sensory plants and trees, with a variety of colours and textures to stimulate the senses of touch, smell and sight.

Thank you to local residents who provided ideas and feedback to help Council create an exciting sensory playspace in Wellesley Road Reserve, Glen Waverley.

Play features include:

Sensory garden trail and planting of new flowering trees, shrubs and groundcovers
Sound sculptures and funny mirror
Squeeze gate
Seated spinner
Existing play pieces to remain

Other elements of the project include:

Picnic table and bench seating
Removal of a small tee tree and one sick black wattle tree (both replaced with a more appropriate tree species)
Open grassed area at southern end of the park to remain
Drinking fountain

We hope you will enjoy this improvement to your local neighbourhood. If you have any questions about these works, please contact Council at recreation@monash.vic.gov.au