Play connects the community at Manly Dam Playground

Children will again be soaring, swinging, climbing and sliding when the new inclusive, accessible playground at Manly Dam opens this week.

The project, part of the Connecting All Through Play program, replaced the existing playground at a construction cost of $250,000 and is the sixth all-abilities playground on the Beaches, joining Lionel Watts (Frenchs Forest), Collaroy Beach, Berry Reserve (Narrabeen), Manly Beachfront and Newport Beach. 

Three local schools were involved in the design of the new playground, which includes a climbing frame, tunnel and bridge, carousel, swings and more.  34 Student Parliament representatives from Allambie Heights Public School participated in a session with playground designers to talk about their favourite things to do and pieces of equipment at playgrounds. Their wish list for the new playground included “a crawl tunnel”, “climbing ropes”, “spinning thing”, “a quiet space”, “a high look out” and more. Not every wish could be granted, but kids of every age will find something of interest.

Materials such as wood and stone and subtle colours blend into the stunning natural environment. There is plenty of seating as well as picnic tables, BBQs and accessible pathways from the carpark.

This new accessible playground and others already located on the Beaches, are designed to not only create exciting and vibrant play spaces but to connect the community, in particular, children of all abilities to natural areas. Greater accessibility of these major play spaces enables people of all-abilities to participate in play and reap the benefits of increased physical activity, social interaction and mental stimulation.

The $10.3m Connecting All Through Play program, has audited dozens of existing playgrounds across the Beaches to ensure there are fun, safe and accessible places for all children to enjoy.  New playgrounds at Allambie Heights and Narrabeen’s Birdwood Park have also opened this winter.

This new playground is located within Manly Warringah War Memorial Park (Manly Dam) and would make a great stop off during a picturesque bushwalk on one of the many trails through the park. A new 133m boardwalk and path was recently completed on the north-eastern side of Manly Dam and these improvements are making this beautiful spot more accessible for the whole community.