Keith Stephenson Park Mount Barker, South Australia 5251

Welcome to Keith Stephenson Park (KSP), a beloved regional reserve located in the beautiful Mount Barker District Council of South Australia. As a popular and highly regarded public destination, KSP offers a wide range of attractions and amenities for visitors of all ages.

At KSP, we understand the importance of providing a safe and enjoyable environment for families and individuals to relax and play. That is why we are excited to announce that the KSP playground is undergoing a much-needed renewal. After extensive public consultation and overwhelming support for an upgrade, we are thrilled to be creating an exciting new playspace that will cater to all ages and interests.

Instead of simply replacing the existing playground, we have combined renewal funding with new capital funding to plan, design, and deliver a significant upgrade. The new playspace will feature state-of-the-art play equipment, including some bespoke elements, a sandpit, nature and water play areas, as well as beautiful landscaping and softfall surfaces. Additional amenities such as irrigation, lighting, concrete footpaths, shelters, shade sails, outdoor furniture, waste bins, and fencing will also be provided.

The final concept plan for the play space upgrade has been released following extensive community engagement. We have listened to the suggestions and preferences of the community, and have included shade structures, fencing around the children's playground, water play features, and more seating near the play area in the design. We want to ensure that the upgraded playground meets and exceeds community expectations for play and appearance.

The design phase has been completed, and we will soon be issuing a call for tender for construction. Adelaide Property & Gardens (APG) has been appointed to undertake the construction of the new playground, with work scheduled to commence in May 2023. The construction process is expected to take approximately five months, with the aim of having the new playground open for community use by the Spring 2023 school holidays.

The total project cost is estimated to be around $1.3 million, with a portion of the funding coming from a Local Roads and Community Infrastructure (LRCI) grant. We apologize in advance for any inconvenience caused during the upgrade works and kindly ask all park users to be vigilant and respectful of the construction activities.

In partnership with the Rotary Club, the existing playground equipment has been dismantled and repurposed for use in developing countries, a fantastic outcome for all parties involved. However, due to recent heavy rainfall, the site is currently waterlogged and unsuitable for work. Contractors will continue as weather permits, but progress may be slower than anticipated. Therefore, the revised completion date is now expected to be November 2023, with the aim of achieving full completion in December 2023.

Lastly, we want to acknowledge and pay our respects to the Peramangk people, the Traditional Custodians of the land where KSP is situated. We recognize their deep connection to the country and extend our respect to Elders past, present, and emerging. This respect is also extended to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people across Australia.

Thank you for your patience and support as we work towards creating an exceptional and inclusive playground experience at Keith Stephenson Park. We look forward to welcoming you to the revitalized KSP playground in the near future.