Wittunga Botanic Gardens new $400k new playground, complete with wheelchair trampoline open

Adelaide’s flashest new playground – worth $400k – is complete with cubbies, swings and even a wheelchair trampoline making it acccessible for all kids. Take a look around.

The newest playground in Adelaide’s east has officially opened at Blackwood.

Wittunga Botanic Garden’s new nature-themed playspace opened this week after starting construction earlier this year.

Complete with cubbies for sliding and climbing, swings and an in-ground wheelchair trampoline the playground is accessible for all local children.

Environment and Water Minister David Speirs said the playground would give children the opportunity to learn about nature and diversity while exploring the space.

“The playspace provides experiences for children that will naturally convert into educational learning opportunities – whether it’s through the bespoke climbing frames that represent a protea, bottlebrush and nut, the ribbed musical frog or the many other immersive play areas,” he said.

Local students from Blackwood Primary School helped design the $400,000 playground which celebrates Aboriginal culture.

The giant ribbed musical frog at the new playground. Picture: Department for Environment and Water

The playground also includes cubbies, a dry billabong and a giant bench seat for the grown-ups. Picture: Department for Environment and Water

The new playspace also includes a dry billabong with reeds, rocks and pebbles as a nod to the Kaurna meaning of Wittunga – which comes from a reference to reeds.

“The new playspace is a marvellous destination within the garden where families can enjoy our local environment, and rare plants and trees in the Wittunga Gardens, and spend time with one another and nurture their physical and mental wellbeing,” federal member for Boothby Nicolle Flint said.

Play equipment inspired by native flowers at the new playground at Wittunga Botanic Gardens in Blackwood which is now open. Picture: Department for Environment and Water

The project was funded through the $649 million Adelaide City Deal in partnership with state and federal governments and the City of Adelaide.

The gardens received $750,000 funding to upgrade gardens and build the playground as part of the deal.