A new sensory outdoor play zone at Victoria Park’s Inclusive Playspace is providing a haven of tranquillity in the heart of town, thanks to the Allan Labor Government.

Member for Wendouree Juliana Addison today joined with City of Ballarat Mayor, Cr Des Hudson OAM to officially open the new Sensory Friendly Stay and Play Zone, backed by $186,904 from the Local Sports Infrastructure Fund.

With over 140,000 people using the park’s inclusive playspace each year, the new layout and equipment provides a welcome, accessible, and inclusive environment for children and adults to play, regardless of age or ability.

There’s a variety of new play equipment in the new zone as well as a village shop, forest shop, dress-up cottage and playhouse designed to encourage cooperative, imaginative play, or provide a quiet space.

There’s also a beautiful Sheoak forest featuring a winding fairy-tale path, a story-telling circle, and a sensory garden providing visitors with an opportunity to enjoy the scents and textures of nature.

Existing facilities, such as the circular path, encourage walking, riding or rolling between zones. Other existing facilities such as the onsite accessible bathroom facilities and a Changing Places facility make this a welcoming home for people of all ages and ability.

Allowing park users to withdraw from loud sounds, away from bright lights or to access other spaces or play elements as required, the zone provides a variety of play options and more reason to stay and play longer.

The new Sensory Friendly Stay and Play Zone makes for a perfect spot for the community and travellers to come together to play, get active or re-energise.

Juliana Addison acknowledged the City of Ballarat for their contribution of $124,603 to deliver the project.

From new playspaces to sports pavilions, investments like these provide high-quality and accessible facilities that allow Victorians to reap the benefits of sport and active recreation participation.

The Victorian Budget 2023/24 is providing more than $213 million to deliver and improve community sports infrastructure and support initiatives that boost participation and inclusion in local sports clubs and organisations.

The new Regional Community Sports Infrastructure Fund is also providing up to $60 million to help rural and regional councils upgrade community sports infrastructure and facilities to make way for more locals to play.

The Victorian Government has invested more than $1.9 billion into community sport and active recreation infrastructure since 2014.

For more information about infrastructure grant opportunities available through the Victorian Government visit sport.vic.gov.au

Quotes attributable to Member for Wendouree Juliana Addison

“The extraordinary inclusive Playspace at Victoria Park offers children across our community the chance to experience real adventure, develop skills around nature-based learning and let their imagination run wild.”