Do you, your friends or family visit Thomas Harkness Reserve Playground, a 'Neighbourhood' classified reserve and playground located on Spurs Avenue x Cappers Drive, Brompton, or might you in future? If yes, we’d love to hear from you.

Thomas Harkness Playground is classified as a neighbourhood playground. Neighbourhood playgrounds will cater to several suburbs outside of its surrounding local area. The play equipment could be basic in character but sturdy and good quality. A higher-level neighbourhood playground might have more unique features that broaden the play value, e.g. some unique pieces of equipment, an appealing landscape etc. They will not be as big or distinctive as a district playground but will have more features or interest than a local playground.

We are due to replace all existing equipment in the Thomas Harkness play space in the first half of 2025 and we need your help to understand what's most important to you. We want to design a new play space that is inclusive, accessible, suits the local area and its needs and, most importantly, that’s fun and useable for the whole community. We would like to know how the existing play space is used, what you might change about it, favourite play types and activities, and more.

The rubber soft fall will also be replaced, and you may be pleased to know we have brought forward the installation of a new shade structure over the playground to coincide with the play renewal.

Please read on to find out what will be and won't be included in the playground renewal, view the Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) about playground renewals, and to see other recently renewed neighbourhood playgrounds you might like to visit before you complete your feedback.

The following elements are included for consideration in the Thomas Harkness Reserve playground renewal:

• All existing play elements within the playground.
• A new shade structure as a result of dedicated funding to add this feature to this playground.
• Accessibility and inclusivity principles, for example, rubber softfall, access paths, and equipment for specific needs or which can be used by young people of varying ages - something for everyone.
• Minor tree and shrub plantings, if they can be supported by the reserve, to provide natural shade, increase our local canopy cover, and for biodiversity and urban cooling.
• Additional/replacement seating or paths if deemed required.

All of the above elements that can be considered are subject to the available budget and availability of the resources.

The following reserve or amenity elements are not considered as part of a playground renewal process:

• Existing or new requests for public amenities on the reserve such as public toilets, shelters and picnic settings.
• Electric BBQ or drinking fountain, though these can be considered separately.
• Fixed shade structure/s over the playground, unless specifically included*.
• Fitness equipment - this infrastructure is separate from playground infrastructure. Installation of fitness equipment is a dedicated project identified due to high demand or a dedicated budget.
• Sports accessories, such as goals, rings, hardcourts, etc. These are considered under a dedicated budget program if they're assessed as being suitable for, or required for the site.

*While shade structures are not part of the playground renewal process and are generally not provided for local or neighbourhood playgrounds, a shade structure is included in this playground renewal. Shade has been included as part of a 5-year plan to install additional playground shade at selected reserves across this city. Thomas Harkness playground was one of the sites approved in this plan for a new shade structure.

If you feel there is a high demand or necessity for any of the above elements, you can make a Customer Request for a new or improved service at Thomas Harkness Reserve and specify what you're requesting and why. These are considered in future reserve upgrades or improvements. Otherwise, you can also contact your local elected member who can consider a budget request in the annual budget process.

'Neighbourhood' playgrounds to visit for inspiration

Are you looking for something to do these school holidays or over a weekend? Why not visit some of the other recently renewed district playgrounds across our city to see what features you like the most? Take a look at the images and below and visit some of the playgrounds that appeal most to you. The locations of the recently renewed playgrounds pictured below are:

• Sparrow Reserve Playground, Thirteenth Avenue, Woodville North
• Alton Reserve Playground, Reynell Street, Kilkenny
• Birkdale Reserve Playground, 26 St Andrews Way, West Lakes
• Devonshire Reserve Playground, Devonshire Avenue, Fulham Gardens
• Eileen Harris Reserve Playground, Cedar Avenue and Croydon Avenue, West Croydon
• Wilford Reserve Playground, Prior Avenue, Seaton
• Wastell Reserve Playground, Wastell Court & Arthur Street, Pennington