Bunbury park fosters interactivity

Until earlier this year, seven-year- old Clair Monk had to travel all the way to Perth to play in the park.

Now Clair, who has lissencephaly or smooth brain, can have fun playing with her cousins and other children closer to home, thanks to the City of Bunbury’s Accessible Playground.

The popular playground was highly commended in the State Government’s Count Me In Award for Local Government this month for encouraging interactive play between children of all abilities and adults.

Clair’s mother Sharon Monk said the accessible playground made all the children feel equal.

“If kids with wheelchairs can play with others, it makes it very normal they may be in a wheelchair but they can still do anything,” she said.

“A lot of families generally don’t take their kids in wheelchairs to the park because there’s no fun watching others.”

The playground, located near Big Swamp, is the first of its kind in the region and includes an aero glider, carousel and accessible slides and sand area.

City of Bunbury community development team leader Caris Gibson said the commendation for the playground was thrilling.

“We have been inundated with positive responses to the playground and were even approached at the awards night by a number of people that have been to and enjoyed the park,” she said.

An expansion of the playground is being considered.

Clair Monk and her father Richard enjoy the activities at Bunbury’s accessible playground.