Acting Prime Minister Richard Marles joined the official opening of the Rippleside Inclusive Playspace, a Livvi's Place on Friday, marking another milestone for the flagship playground.
The playspace is the first of its kind in Geelong, and was built in partnership with the Touched By Olivia Foundation, Australian Government, City of Greater Geelong, Victorian Government, and Quintessential.
Replacing the original playground, which opened in 2001, this newly developed area reimagines what a public play space can be, offering not just fun, but a sense of connection and belonging.
At the heart of the playspace is a striking steel play structure filled with adventure – a bridge to cross, slides to race down and climbing features that challenge and delight.
Surrounding it are areas designed to stimulate the senses and encourage imaginative exploration, from nature-based zones and sand pits to water play features, an in-ground trampoline and a sensory wall.
The space also includes a diverse range of swings and a flying fox, making it accessible and enjoyable for children of varying physical abilities.
And the space has been thoughtfully designed for families too. Shaded picnic areas, BBQ facilities and gathering spots make it a welcoming community hub for socialising, celebrating or simply relaxing.
The playspace sits adjacent to upgraded amenities, including a fully accessible Changing Places facility—ensuring everyone, regardless of mobility, can enjoy extended visits with comfort and dignity.
This project has been made possible through an impressive collaboration between government bodies, local council, private donors, and community advocates.
It was supported by $2.18 million from the Australian Government, as part of the Local Roads and Community Infrastructure Program, $1.7 million from the City of Greater Geelong, $910,000 from the Victorian Government with $800,000 from the 2020-21 Local Sports Infrastructure Fund and $110,000 for Changing Places through the Department of Families, Fairness and Housing, and $235,000 from Touched by Olivia, private equity via Quintessential.
Acting Prime Minister and Member for Corio, Richard Marles MP:
Rippleside Park holds many special memories for families here in Geelong and all across the region. Now, the new Rippleside Inclusive Playspace – the first of its kind in Geelong – will give even more children and their families the opportunity to make those memories.The Albanese Labor Government is proud to have supported in this wonderful project. I hope it brings many years of joy to our community.
Greater Geelong Mayor Stretch Kontelj OAM:
Since opening to the public in August, the Rippleside Inclusive Playspace, a Livvi's Place, has become a popular location for children all ages and abilities.I'm thrilled to see so many local children and families in enjoying playing together here.
This playspace is the result of significant work and support from the City of Greater Geelong, the Victorian and Commonwealth governments and several other dedicated individuals and organisations.
State Member for Lara Ella George MP:
The new Rippleside Park Inclusive Playspace comes with a wide range of fun and accessible equipment, providing great quality outdoor facilities for people of all ages and all abilities to enjoy.I know that local families are going to love spending time at the Rippleside Playspace, where there is something for every child to enjoy.
Kim Becherand, Head of Inclusive Play at Touched by Olivia:
This Livvi's Place is a new jewel in our national network of sought-after and trusted inclusive playpaces.It reflects deep engagement from local children and families who experience barriers to play, schools and members of the wider community. They all requested somewhere where locals and visitors could gather, recreate, celebrate Geelong and play together whilst maintaining the feeling of the already known and much loved playspace on the hill and nestled amongst the trees of Rippleside Park.
Jeavons Landscape Architects took on the challenge with gusto, and the painstakingly detailed, thoughtful and clever design provides play opportunities for all to enjoy, supported by fantastic amenities enabling everyone to get around the site with ease. Everyone will feel safe, welcome, and that they belong.
This Livvi's Place is truly intergenerational, with challenge and adventure for young and old alike. The bespoke tower features ramps, graduated stairs and climbing challenges so all children and adults can join in the fun on the upper play decks together. The design incorporates the existing trees, adds many more and uses natural materials like the exquisite pink mud stone, demonstrating how biophilic inclusive design is done.
Greater Geelong and all project partners have been committed to this playspace for a long time, and all have walked their talk on inclusion. Valuing diversity and connectedness is so important for their communities. We all know we need to get outside, play more, and enjoy time with our kids to live happier, healthier lives, and we know Rippleside Livvi's Place is just the place to do it.
Shane Quinn, Executive Director, Quintessential:
At Quintessential, we are proud to support communities that have been so good to us with our guiding ESG philosophy: to 'leave things better than we found them'.The Geelong All-Access Playground has been embraced by all levels of government, local business, project partners and the wider community, and sets a new benchmark for inclusive all access design.
This project is about more than play equipment — it is about families connecting, supporting each other, and building bonds that extend well beyond the playground. With smart design, inclusivity and all access design can and should become common practice across community spaces, workplaces and homes by using some of the smart designs incorporated in this playground. The core feature of the project was always to challenge the status quo of all access design which this project has achieved at a world-class level.
We thank the City of Greater Geelong, the Victorian and Federal Governments, and all our project partners and the delivery team for helping deliver what we believe is world's best practice in all-access play for the Geelong and Victorian community.
