Bundock Park Clovelly Playground Upgrade

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Consultation has concluded.

The new playground was officially opened on 1 December 2021! Thank you to all who contributed to this consultation. 

Thank you to all who shared their ideas and helped us design the new playground. The final plan for the Bundock Park Playground can be viewed here. You can learn more about the project here.

Stage 2 consultation: Concept Plan

Randwick City Council is upgrading the playground at Bundock Park on Clovelly Beach with new play equipment, landscaping and shade.

Earlier this year, we asked the community to tell us how the new playground should be designed. Kids, mums, dads and grandparents joined in the fun, sharing ideas and designing their perfect playground by the beach!

What we heard:

The kids told us they want to swing, climb and slide…so we are proposing a basket swing, wooden play equipment with rope ladders and monkey bar hooks to climb, and a slide!

The grown-ups told us they want shade and a nature playground with equipment made from wood…so we are proposing two new shade structures to cover the entire playground, three new wooden play pieces including a boat, and the playground will be relocated slightly west with more bushes and shrubs.

View the concept plan

Share your thoughts on the concept plan by:

Consultation period: 22 July to 18 August 2020.

The new playground was officially opened on 1 December 2021! Thank you to all who contributed to this consultation. 

Thank you to all who shared their ideas and helped us design the new playground. The final plan for the Bundock Park Playground can be viewed here. You can learn more about the project here.

Stage 2 consultation: Concept Plan

Randwick City Council is upgrading the playground at Bundock Park on Clovelly Beach with new play equipment, landscaping and shade.

Earlier this year, we asked the community to tell us how the new playground should be designed. Kids, mums, dads and grandparents joined in the fun, sharing ideas and designing their perfect playground by the beach!

What we heard:

The kids told us they want to swing, climb and slide…so we are proposing a basket swing, wooden play equipment with rope ladders and monkey bar hooks to climb, and a slide!

The grown-ups told us they want shade and a nature playground with equipment made from wood…so we are proposing two new shade structures to cover the entire playground, three new wooden play pieces including a boat, and the playground will be relocated slightly west with more bushes and shrubs.

View the concept plan

Share your thoughts on the concept plan by:

Consultation period: 22 July to 18 August 2020.

Leave a comment

Share your thoughts on the upgrade plans for the Bundock Park playground. 

Consultation has concluded.

CLOSED: This discussion has concluded.

As a long term local Clovelly resident and grandmother of two toddlers, I am looking forward to the new Bundock Park playground. I strongly support inclusion of at least two or three baby swings with the chain belt fastening as at Burnie Park. These swings are safe for very young children to about three years. There is a high demand during the week and on weekends for baby swings at this playground near the beach. Older children have many more options for activity at the playground and at the beach. The basket swing is inappropriate and would take up too much space.
I also agree with drainage management of the area before any upgrading of the area. I really appreciate improvement of the surface of access from the small car park to the west throughout this little park are although I hope you use an alternative to concrete. Even pavers as at Coogee Beach promenade look better and I would like to see as much green space as possible retained or improved.

agm over 3 years ago

Thanks council for working on a much needed project, both Burnie Park and The beach are in much need of updates. I agree with others the storm water issue and current road status to the playground needs consideration, prams and kids with ragged stone don't go well.
Secondly agree the space where the old playground is could be better utilised, it's kinda useless space without also a shade cover, it's simply too hot to sit around there. Also as you mentioned some timber seating, planters etc would make it feel more in line with surroundings and useable. The wild play area at centennial park has some great elements you could leverage.
Obvious no project comes without budget constraints but it does feel very 'lite'. Parsley bay playground has some great climbing elements for older kids. Any upgrade will be nice but hard to see the value in a semi-useful project.

adrianmottershead over 3 years ago

Thanks for upgrading this much loved play area. The shade sail is great and a welcome addition given how hot the current BLACK soft fall gets during summer. The accessibility ramp is great too. Waverly and Randwick councils seem to often miss that parents pushing prams need these too - think access points to varna park for eg?! A few things to note:
The water fountain if being retained needs some drainage or concrete around it as it does get extremely muddy with overuse. Where is the seating for parents and carers around the play area? Anyone with a toddler and a newborn baby needs a seat at a playground. I like that the playground is being moved but I don’t think the current “bushes and shrubs” that butt up against the playground are in any way safe or acceptable for young children (more babies and toddlers) to play through, which inevitably they will try to explore. I have sat on that grassed area and even that little wall on the western side to feed my newborn and had to wrangle the toddler to prevent any sticks to the eye as a result of heading into those bushes!! I think the proposed equipment is ok...from a safety perspective and given it’s a small space I don’t like the prospect of that seesaw with toddlers or early walkers making their way through the playground. I’d imagine a couple of older kids rocking it back and forth would be a major risk to little people who inevitably walk into the paths of these pieces of equipment. At the height of summer this park is well used and the space should cater to that. Like others have said, I don’t think there are many options for babies and toddlers. And to make this a truly meaningful community consultation and given the stunning location, some nice connections to the sand,sea and sky might be nice - maybe get some of the local children from daycare/schools to create some beautiful pieces of art to embed into the proposed limestone wall (like little tiles?) or some other way to embed the spirit of our local children into this community space. Thanks for the opportunity to provide input

OG1983 over 3 years ago

Thank you Randwick Council! The playground upgrade is definitely needed. I agree with some of the other comments that the area where the existing (old) playground needs to be better utilised - more seating, coastal / marine structure, or possibly an old dingy boat from the surf club for the kids to play in? Also the playground design could use a climbing wall for older kids (a good location would be on the south side boundary with the bush area).

clovellydad over 3 years ago

Great work Lucy and the rest of the team, especially the shade cover!

1. Please ensure there is sufficient seating for adults, preferably undercover. A picnic bench, or two, would be wonderful (even if on the grass area outside the playground)
2. The existing drinking fountain is heavily used by dogs. The entrance (ie gap in the sandstone retaining wall on the northern side) should be made smaller to deter dogs from entering the playground
3. It would be great to acknowledge the wonderful coastal location by including something less "generic" eg marine mosaics similar to Bronte beach and North Bondi beach playgrounds
4. Rather than paving the existing playground, why not include stepping stones, artwork (eg mosaic mentioned above) or a handball/hopscotch outline? Or perhaps covered picnic benches?

Eastbourne over 3 years ago

STOP, STOP, STOP
The whole area needs to be considered before you build a "Basic" playground. The stormwater issue - every time we get heavy rain the water runs down the gully and takes half the park with it, surely that has to be fixed first. What happens to the existing playground area, that should be ripped up and incorporated into the "whole" landscaping area. At the time Lucy and Amanda met locals at the playground to gather opinions. I spoke to Lucy for sometime and expressed my disappointment at how "Basic" the plans looked. Lucy pointed out that there was only a limited budget, my answer to that is don't do it at all until you have enough funds to do it well. The replacement plans at the moment aren't much better as to what is already there. Simply Google, "Best Playgrounds" and there are some fabulous examples of what can be done. Eg why not a large sand pit as the base instead of expensive rubber flooring. I believe you need to delay, consider the whole area and wait till you have a bigger budget to do it well. Col Blake

friendly col over 3 years ago

I think the concept of the new playground is great. While my children have grown up, I enjoy taking my nieces and nephews to the playgrounds around my area.
The only thing I don't like is its location. I often walk around that area and like to sit with a takeaway coffee on either the sandstone retailing wall or the grass. I sometimes have my small dog with me. I will no longer be able to do that. On popular days parents often park strollers and small bikes etc along the pathway blocking access. It is also the point where people walk off the sand and want to clean their feet and put on their shoes. Strollers and parents will take up the area across the whole front of the new and improved play ground. The shade cloth will also obstruct water views from the grassed area behind it. At present the playground is sunken and has no cover so the proposed version with have a much bigger impact. Please don't let it take over the space.
Why can't the play ground be located further back from the beach leaving a strip of grass for all ages to use and enjoy the view, not just the kids. The existing proposal acts like a barrier between the beach and the park. A new location will remove any obstacles on the pathway which is very busy with people walking dogs and joggers etc.
I also noted that there was a request for a fence around it. That would create even a bigger problem in its present proposed location. If it was moved further back on the grass it wouldn't effect others as much.
Wonderful idea, but please don't put a barrier up in front of that beautiful view. Set it up so all ages can experience that lovely beach.

Debbie over 3 years ago

We spoke to Lucy when they were at the Playground some months ago. At that time I said I was disappointed that the playground was "basic" compared to the great looking playgrounds around Australia and overseas. Lucy said it was a matter of budget.
Therefore why do it at all when you are putting in something not much better than what is there now. Also the stormwater is not being considered, why upgrade the playground when the whole area is a mess and the stormwater needs to be fixed first. Also what is to happen to existing playground? There needs to be plan for the whole area, not just playground. Please delay until there is a WHOLE PLAN.

friendly col over 3 years ago

Dear planners and designers of the Bundock Park Playground at Clovelly Beach.
I have lived in Clovelly since 1974, very close to the beach.
Stormwater drainage down the Gully has cause damage with each significant rainfall event. I suggest that Council undertake some form of drainage augmentation to collect the gully runoff and direct the flow to the drainage conduit under the south promenade. This action will ease the drainage nuisance from the stormwater flowing down the gully.
The major item likely to adversely affect the new play area is the frequent surcharge from the gross pollutant trap adjoining the site of the proposed new playground. Following installation of the gross pollutant trap, heavy rainfall and associated chokeage of the trap filter caused the trap to explosively blow the lid off. This occurred several times before a relief outlet was installed. However, surcharge from the relief outlet caused substantial erosion in the grassed area as well as spreading substantial volumes of plant debris and urban rubbish onto the park and the beach. Perhaps consider installing a stormwater by-pass to allow the surcharge water to discharge down the promenade conduit rather than onto the park.
These drainage issues must be addressed in order to ensure reasonable function and durability of the proposed new playground. The community will benefit and remedial costs will be reduced.
Please augment the drainage before installing the playground.

Richard1974 over 3 years ago

Please fix the adjacent storm water overflow issue before spending any money on a new playground. Unfortunately, another design by council's consultants with little or no local input or thought. Alex W has spotted the issues nicely.

oldClovellyresident over 3 years ago

great new playground, but there are no fences or gates to keep dogs outside the playground area. Its government law that dogs must be kept 10 metres away from a childrens playground for the safety and health of the children, why is a magnificent new facility being built without a fence to keep dogs away from our children ?

brucee41 over 3 years ago

Removed by moderator.

Alex W over 3 years ago

As a benchmark project in Randwick Council's LGA it is disappointing to see a lack on any site-specific play opportunities or items that reference the locale of Clovelly. What makes it special and relevant to its amazing beach-side location? Its adjacent to a pretty incredible marine location and sandwiched between remnant Eastern Suburbs Banksia Scrub at the base of significant drainage line - a tonne of value which seems to be completely ignored in the current scheme. From the looks of the renders and plan, this playground could be anywhere! This should provide a unique experience for our kids; something not offered anywhere else in the Randwick LGA as opposed to another cookie-cutter approach. My kids would be bored here pretty quickly and they are of the ages that this is targeting. Also sandy feet on rubber softfall is a pretty terrible combination, and expect your slip rating compliance to disappear pretty quickly

Alex W over 3 years ago

Does the existing playground area have to be paved? Would it not be preferable to have fewer hard surfaces and replant this area with hardy ground coverage and some stepping stones and/or tree stumps. This can also be a fun play area for kids.

Karon over 3 years ago

Young children say from 1 up love a bucket swing with a chain to secure them and a basket swing will not satisfy them.

Michael22 over 3 years ago

Would be great to tie in some fun sprinklers similar to wild in centennial. Kids could play after swimming or playing at the beach. Also to have cultural connection to the land it suits, Aboriginal facts, knowledge about spotting bush tucker, an artist to tell the story of the land through art etc. Swings for all ages to make sure toddlers and older kids can all have fun. Climbing wall and or tunnels would be great too. Benches and seats to have a little picnic. Ramp for prams to access the hill to the road rather than just steps.

Tarab over 3 years ago

I also agree with Sally the play equipment looks great and having the shades will be awesome but I would love to see something for toddlers too.

Beth63 over 3 years ago

Why do we need to put paving in to the current playground site? What other options are there?
Eg. Could we have the current site equipment and planted - making it permeable ?
Fragrant shrubs/ heath flowers / or just a single deciduous or eucalyptus tree?
And please not ugly oversize public sculptures... ...

Cat over 3 years ago

Well done Randwick Council, location move looks perfect. I have a 5 year old who plays there often, and she will love it!

Paul B over 3 years ago

It looks as though a lot of heartfelt thought has gone into it. Thank you. There is a good variety for all ages too. Please ensure that the boat gets the telescope / binoculars from the old equipment, attached somewhere. I never get tired of watching kids use this most simple of gadgets on the old playground equipment. Not being a kid, I have no idea how one uses the see-saw rocker, but the kids will work it out soon enough I'm sure. Thank you Randwick council, awesome job.

nicki over 3 years ago