Filmmaker Quentin Kenihan wants to create Adelaide’s first playground for disabled children

LOCAL filmmaker Quentin Kenihan has revealed he wants to create Adelaide’s first playground for children with disabilities.

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FILM buff and Mad Max actor Quentin Kenihan wants to create Adelaide’s first playground for children with disabilities.

The disability campaigner has already selected the ideal location — in the parklands across the road from the Women’s and Children’s Hospital — and says he just needs Adelaide City Council approval to get the idea off the ground.

“It came to me that there is no disability playground for kids in Adelaide. There is the odd piece of equipment but nothing viable — they were either locked up or hard to use. We’re apparently the fifth most liveable city in the world and there’s nothing like this around here,” says Kenihan, 41, who was born with osteogenesis imperfecta, or brittle bones.

“There are so many kids going through crap in these places ... they are not really allowed outside because there’s nothing here. So to have a permanent structure where they can go to when the weather is good and have a bit of fun and a break from everything that’s going on, heck, I know I would have wanted that when I was a kid.”

Kenihan, who became a household name aged seven when he appeared in a documentary with Mike Willesee, has joined forces with his former support worker and good friend Ian Kissock to work on the concept over the last six months.

POSITIVE: Quentin Kenihan is planning a playground for disabled children in North Adelaide near the Women’s and Children’s Hospital. Picture: SAM WUNDKE

Together they’ve researched similar playgrounds interstate and overseas, and estimate a playground could cost anywhere from $150,000 to $350,000 (depending on the size and type of equipment in the park) which they aim to privately fund.

Kenihan says they had a “positive” meeting with Federal Disability Minister Leesa Vlahos last week, who encouraged them to continue with their plans.

“She came up with some great ideas as to how to get it going,” he said.

“We’ll speak with a representative from various disability organisations around SA and come up with some ideas, some equipment that will work for all of them. And then we just need the council to give us an acre and a half of land here.

“I’m not asking for the council’s money, I’m sure with the amount of corporate dollars that float around in the state and the amount of people I know, I’m sure Ian and I can get it done.”

“We’re not saying this is going to happen overnight but we need to get the ball rolling and create something that’s sustainable that kids are going to enjoy.”