Sensory sculptures at Victoria Park Playground
Art encouraging curious, imaginative, and nature-based play
City Of Boroondara, Suburban Parks Program
2022 Victoria Park Playground, Kew, Bunurong Country
The newly designed Victoria Park Playground includes a mix of challenging, active, sensory, and nature-based play opportunities for children of all ages and abilities. Shaped by the community's ideas and feedback during consultation, the playground reflects the locality's significant features. Themes of 'Local Biodiversity' and 'Caring for the Land' offer fertile ground for a playground reflective of the site with educational components.
Our brief was to create elements to spark kids' imaginations while staying true to the local environment and community values. City of Boroondara requested play elements to make children curious and encourage them to explore while being safe, durable, and accessible.
Artbox teamed up with the Council's biodiversity team to shortlist species endemic to the park to inspire fabricated durable sculptures of animals and constructed footprint stamps to imprint animal tracks on pathways. With their robust physical design, the Tawny Frogmouth and Brushtail Possum offer numerous sensory, imagination-led experiences. The sculptures are play-friendly at kid-size, reflective of the playground palette, and aligned with the regional playground's overall design.
The sculptures provide fun, sensory experiences while highlighting the importance of preserving local flora and fauna. With animal sculptures scattered around the park and footprints imprinted in the paths, children are drawn to engage in their surroundings, discovering new things at every turn. The Victoria Park Playground is a vibrant community-loved asset that promotes active play and environmental awareness.Creative solutions through public art
Services
Artwork Concepts
Creative Collaboration
Design & Modelling
Sculpture Prototyping
Mould & Casting
Fabrication
Project Oversight
Installation Logistics
Challenge
Approach
Impact
Photo Credit: Mamma Knows
Outcomes
Delivery of landscaping features – co-design and fabrication of sensory play sculptures Tawny Frogmouth, Brushtail Possum, and imprinted animal footprints
Enhanced sensory play opportunities – sculptures and footprint imprints encourage children to explore and interact with their environment, promoting sensory and curious play
Durable and accessible landscaping features – robust, high-quality materials ensure that the sculptures and play elements are durable and safe for long-term use for accessible and inclusive play
Strengthened connection to nature – themes of biodiversity educate children and visitors about local ecosystems and the importance of caring for the land