A DRY creek bed, “mud kitchen”, garden maze and jungle gym made from tree branches are part of a proposed $110,000 playground at Coolbinia primary school.
The school’s parents and citizens association is planning to open a nature play area—complete with pink river sand, gardens and a pint-sized outdoor kitchen for making mud pies.
It will be ready by the next academic year and be the newest nature play area in the region, following the opening of a similar playgrounds at North Perth and Bayswater primary schools and Braithwaite Park.
P&C president Nigel Dennis wants his children, pictured, to grow up playing in nature like he did on his family’s South Australian farm. “I remember falling off stuff and grazing arms,” he says. “It’s great for kids to learn about falling and getting sores and cuts.”
Designer/artist Bernhard Kaiser from Natural Play Environments says it’s important for children to play freely and get their hands dirty.
He says that’s not possible on “sterile” metal and plastic play equipment. “Children are engaged in the natural environment where they can find bits and pieces and creepy crawlies,” Mr Kaiser, 60, says.
“They ask where the insects came from, dirt gets on their fingers and they can smell the wood and feel the cracks in logs. It’s good on a sensory level.”
Coolbinia primary, now in its 60th year, has raised more than $80,000 for its playground, but needs help to get over the line.
Parents and former students can “buy” a piece of the playground: a hand-painted tile ($100) or an engraved brick ($50) or stainless steel plate ($150). Orders close by Monday, July 27. Public donations are also welcome. For more information, visit http://www.coolbinia.wa.edu.au
by EMMIE DOWLING
Perth Voice Interactive 
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