Esplanade Youth Plaza

Welcome to the Esplanade Youth Plaza, a family-friendly establishment located at the south eastern corner of Fremantle’s Esplanade Reserve in Western Australia. This vibrant youth plaza has been carefully designed and strategically placed in a highly visible inner-city hub, making it easily accessible for families and young people.

The plaza caters to a diverse range of user groups, including traditional wheeled sports such as skateboarding, BMX, and scooter riding. It also features Western Australia’s first outdoor parkour park, as well as stage areas, seating, and viewing areas. The design seamlessly integrates with the existing landscape, creating a harmonious blend of hard and softscape elements.

The Esplanade Youth Plaza has gained recognition not only locally, but also internationally. It has attracted the attention of Worldwide Landscape Architecture and the Department of Culture, Youth and Media in Belgium, as well as accolades and awards across Australia.

The grand opening of the Esplanade Youth Plaza took place on April 13, 2014, and it has since received praise from Skateboarding Australia. In fact, it was ranked as the number one skate spot in Australia even before its official opening. The opening event was a family-friendly affair, featuring clinics and entertainment for all ages. Pro athletes showcased their skills in BMX, scooters, skateboarding, and parkour demos, while the Dismantle workshop reopened for participants to try out slacklining. Food and entertainment were also available throughout the day.

During the construction phase, several clips were made to document the progress of the plaza. One of the unique design features of the youth plaza is its incorporation of Fremantle's marine significance. Marine buoys have been featured to symbolize the connection between the Esplanade and the Fishing Boat Harbour.

The location of the Esplanade Youth Plaza was carefully chosen to be centrally located, highly visible, and easily accessible for both pedestrians and vehicles. It seamlessly integrates with existing social and play facilities and is conveniently located near public toilets.

With a total area of 4,130 square meters, the youth plaza includes 2,500 square meters of landscaping and mounding, as well as the addition of 30-35 new trees. To address community feedback and preserve green space, only 1,630 square meters will be covered in concrete or hard surfaces, which is approximately 2,000 square meters less than originally planned. This represents only 4.5% of the overall reserve.

The Esplanade Youth Plaza serves as an inner-city hub for young people and families to enjoy. It also provides a venue for future youth festivals and events, making it a significant tourist attraction for Fremantle. The project cost $1.6 million, with $600,000 funding provided by Lotterywest.

In the future, stage two of the plaza will include a basketball quarter court and a public BBQ area to further enhance the offerings of this vibrant space.

The final design of the Esplanade Youth Plaza was the result of a comprehensive community engagement process. The City of Fremantle sought input and feedback from a diverse range of stakeholders through surveys, workshops, and online consultations. The final design, released on July 12, 2013, incorporates the ideas and suggestions gathered from the community.

Come and experience the Esplanade Youth Plaza, a dynamic and inclusive space that celebrates youth culture and provides endless opportunities for recreation and entertainment.