Wondrous creatures invade Thomas Street playground

The exciting redevelopment of the Thomas Street inclusive playground has become even more fabulous with the addition of some wondrous creatures. Bayside City Council has partnered with Arts Access Victoria to commission a series of playful creatures of various sizes, which children may clamber on and interact with, to be located amongst the playground equipment and landscaping.

Arts Access Victoria works with artists living with disability and the group that created the creatures recently visited the construction site to discuss placement. The installation will include a plaque with wording supplied by the artists:

“Meet the creatures we made

They are good creatures

They are good hearted

They were made by John Eslick, Paula Whiting, Katina Anapaikos, Edward Treloar, Debbie Lissek,

Kristy Sweeney, Karim Sarakbi, Deanna Dixon, Jonathan Thompson, Greg Colley and Rob Brown,

Artists from Arts Access Victoria’s Art Day South studio in the year 2020.”

Council’s Inclusion Officer, Andrew Shannon said:

“This is a great initiative to involve adults living with intellectual disability in the development of an inclusive playspace.

Intellectual disability remains stigmatized in our community, though slowly reducing, thanks to the great work of organisations like Arts Access.

“These fictional creatures add a fun dimension to the new playground and are sure to delight the young and old.”

The Thomas Street all-abilities playground is nearing completion and is due to be opened in time for the winter school holidays. Read more about the project on our website.

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