• Feature climbing net with in-built slide
• Large basket swing
• Swing zone featuring junior basket swing, strap swing, toddler swing and accessible carousel
• Toddler area to have shade sail with rockers, see-saw, small combination unit with slide and spinners
• Senior combination unit with monkey bars and slide
• Trampoline trail
• Talking tubes
• Misty trail with sculptural misting poles
• Feature fish net play pieces
• Balance beam
• Double flying fox
• Forrest area for informal play
• Nature play trail
• Communication access board
• Large shelter with picnic setting, bicycle stands, BBQ and drinking fountain.

District-scale playspaces such as Gladeswood include features that can be enjoyed by residents of all ages.

The draft concept plan also includes designs for the following elements:

• Multipurpose court featuring a basketball ring, netball ring, futsal net and pickleball markings
• Outdoor fitness equipment for multigenerational use
• Seating, tables and sheltered BBQ area
• New public toilet location (option A or option B) with front screening for privacy.

Funding for the construction of the above four elements will be considered individually by the Council as part of the annual budget process.

Click here to see an example of an Active Recreation Space and Fitness Hub.

When deciding what elements go into a concept design, we are guided by initial community feedback and our playspace classification system. Gladeswood Reserve playspace will be upgraded to a district-scale level playspace, which has the following guidelines:

• Caters for residents living within 2.5km
• Combination of 8 to 12 items of play equipment for different generations so people of all ages and abilities can enjoy the space.
• Equipment designs that offer high-level of play opportunity are preferred over aesthetic theming
• Value adding, e.g. logs than can be used as garden edging, casual seating and for balance play
• Complements play provision in nearby playspaces
• Nature-based play, typically rocks, logs and plantings (sand and water play are limited to regional or district playspaces due to high maintenance levels)
• Facilitate opportunities for social interaction
• Inclusive designs and wheelchair accessible path system
• Something that contributes to a unique local identity

Council previously confirmed that the allocated budget for this project will also accommodate the design of the playspace upgrade, active recreation space, fitness hub and site investigations for a new public toilet. Funding for the construction for these will be considered individually by the Council as part of the annual budget process.

• Read more about our playspace design principles and considerations.

After considering community feedback in 2024 and investigating the site for infrastructure connections, Option B in the draft concept plan emerged as the preferred location.

Background

We provide public toilet facilities as a standard when upgrading district-scale playspaces because they typically attract families who stay longer. These public toilets must be located within 250m of the playspace and will include front screens for privacy.

As part of the design process, an engineer is engaged to investigate an appropriate location, considering connections for water, sewerage, stormwater, electrical power, and an extension for the electrical cable pit.

Two toilet location options have been proposed in the community consultation in 2024, with the majority indicating they were happy with either option.

Noting this, the engineer finalised the location at the end of the design work as Option B. Construction is subject to future budget approval.

The public toilet will adhere to Council’s design standards for cleanliness access and safety, as well as international design guidelines for public safety and crime prevention.

Fencing is not within the scope of this upgrade.

In general, fencing around playspaces is not considered standard and is not included in the budget and design of playspace upgrades because it can reduce accessibility. It is the responsibility of carers to actively supervise young children’s play. Fencing or barriers are generally only used when a safety concern cannot be managed with effective design.

Refer to our playspace design principles and considerations for more information about fencing.

Open spaces and playgrounds in City of Monash are classified so we can plan and manage our parks and reserves in an equitable and sustainable way, including setting the design scope and budget for upgrades.

Gladeswood Reserve has been identified as a district-scale reserve, which means it can offer larger areas with a greater diversity of facilities to support longer stays and community connection.

Upgrading the playspace to district scale will result in a valued community asset that makes better use of the space and will provide more play equipment and facilities that can cater for different generations. This classification is referenced in the following Council-endorsed strategies, which involved community consultation. Together, they inform the vision and recommendations for the reserve:

• Monash Open Space Strategy
• Gladeswood Reserve Masterplan
• Playground and Playspace Strategy
• Active Recreation and Opportunities Strategy

The Gladeswood Reserve Masterplan is a Council-endorsed strategic document that underwent community consultation in 2023. It outlines the development priorities at the reserve for the next 10 years, based on identified community needs, sport and recreation trends and existing Council strategies and plans.

This planned playspace upgrade fulfils some of the high-priority recommendations of the masterplan. They include the upgraded playspace, picnic area, outdoor exercise equipment, multipurpose sports and recreation space, and public toilet facility.

Refer to the masterplan for the full list of recommendations.

This consultation applies to the design of the playspace upgrade, BBQ with shelter, picnic area, outdoor exercise equipment, multipurpose courts and public toilet facility.

Feedback on the recommendations in the Gladeswood Reserve Masterplan was collected in 2023 in 2 stages:

• Integrated site plan consultation: February – March 2023
• Public exhibition of draft masterplan: September – October 2023

Overall, the feedback supported the key directions and recommendations of the masterplan, leading to its endorsement by Council in December 2023.

The other elements in the masterplan will be separate projects, and will be spread out over the next 10 years, subject to priority, budget, design processes and community consultation.

We will add these other projects to the Gladeswood Reserve Masterplan Shape page as they progress.

Your/your child’s responses will be used to help inform the final design.

Funding for the construction will be considered by Council as part of the 2025/26 annual budget process. We will update this page in mid-2025 with the decision, and local residents will receive a letter closer to construction if funding is approved.

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