Nature playground opens in Wandina

Wandina Primary School students celebrate the officially opening of the Derna Park Nature Playground, which was constructed in partnership by the school and the City of Greater Geraldton.

Getting back to nature just got a whole lot easier with the official opening of a nature playground today in Derna Park in the heart of the Wandina suburb.

The unique project saw the construction of a playground on land owned by both the Wandina Primary School and the City.

City of Greater Geraldton Mayor Shane Van Styn said the school’s proposal to build the playground aligned with the City’s plans for Derna Park.

“When the playground proposal came through in 2016, the City was already planning upgrades to the Park which included the construction of a toilet block,” he said.

“It goes without saying the nature playground has added real value to the park and with the addition of the toilet block, which opened in August 2017, Derna Park has become a top location for local children and families from across Geraldton to visit and enjoy.”

Wandina Primary School Principal Di Miller said she was thankful to the City and project funders for supporting a playground that will challenge children of all ages.

“By pooling Wandina Primary School, Wandina Primary School P&C, Seacrest Corporation and City funds we were able to successfully leverage grant funding and build a play space that will be enjoyed by students during recess and lunch times and by the community throughout the day,” she said.

“The new nature playground will provide our school and community with a fantastic play space where children will be able to be creative and imaginative as well as develop their gross motor skills through play in a more natural environment, for many years to come.”

Construction of the $200,746 nature playground was jointly funded by Wandina Primary School, Wandina Primary School P&C, the City of Greater Geraldton, and Seacrest Corporation with the State Government Regional Grants Scheme, managed by the Mid West Development Commission contributing $149,167 towards the project.