Project update June 2026

Final playground design

The final design is now available for the Symonds Reserve playground upgrade and tree planting.

In response to community feedback, the position of the new playground has now been moved away from Stewart Avenue, closer to the current playground location in front of the community centre. In addition, we will remove the high black fencing at the front of the community centre carpark, to create a sense of connection between the centre, Symonds Reserve and the wider community.

Following several requests during community engagement we have included the below elements in the design:

• Monkey bars play equipment within the playground.
• A second shelter including additional seating.

We have also:

• Integrated a sign language board, tongue drum musical panel and sensory panel into the playground design.
• Swapped existing soccer goals to new multi-purpose goals.

Construction for this project is scheduled to take place during the 2026-27 financial year.

Background

We recently undertook community engagement on an exciting upgrade to the playground and new tree planting at Symonds Reserve on Stewart Avenue, Aldinga Beach.

The draft concept plan shows the removal of the two existing playgrounds which have reached the end of their asset life, and the establishment of a larger, fenced playground on the eastern side of the reserve. The plan for the new playground includes:

• Shade sails as well as tree planting for future shade
• Rope climbing structures
• Platform with slides
• 6 swings (4 seats and 2 joey swings)
• See saw, spinner, carousel and springer
• Hammocks
• Interactive music play - song gongs
• Interactive sound bridge and sensory path
• Communication board
• Gumnut chairs and blossom seats
• Sitting logs and rocks.

In addition to the playground, the plan shows:

• Drink fountain and dog bowl
• Shelter with BBQ and picnic table
• Outdoor table tennis table
• Tree planting
• Revegetation planting
• Relocated soccer goals
• Irrigated grass
• Passively irrigated rain garden
• New footpath connection.

You can find out more by viewing the draft concept plan and reading the FAQ.

Council has successfully secured an additional $304,000 ‘Cooler, Greener, Wilder’ grant towards the project from Green Adelaide to improve greening, cooling and biodiversity outcomes at the reserve. This funding will support the tree planting and irrigation components of the project.

The renewal is expected to be undertaken within the 2026-27 financial year, subject to approval through Council’s annual budget process.

Community engagement outcomes

Thanks to everyone who provided feedback.

During the consultation we had 224 visitors to the Your Say page. Through the online survey, online quick poll, doorknocking of residents overlooking Symonds Reserve and email, a total of 61 people shared their thoughts on the draft concept plan.

The majority of people (95%) who provided feedback online indicated they were happy with the proposed design, as were residents spoken to during doorknocking. People particularly liked the new playground elements, new tree planting and irrigated grass area.

The design is now being reviewed with consideration to the feedback received and the available budget.

In response to feedback, we will investigate changes to the design including:

• Moving the position of the new playground away from Stewart Avenue, closer to the current playground location in front of the community centre.

• Removing the high black fencing at the front of the community centre carpark, to create a sense of connection between the centre, Symonds Reserve and the wider community.

• Adding monkey bars to the playground.

• Adding public toilet signage.

• Additional seating and shade options.

We will share an updated concept plan in mid-2026.

The renewal is expected to be undertaken within the 2026-27 financial year, subject to approval through Council’s annual budget process.