Perth Voice Interactive

LOCALS want to get their hands dirty — literally — to make Bayswater better.

Community group the Baysie Rollers is offering to chip in “in any way” as part of a $100,000 redevelopment of the Bert Wright Park playground.

The offer comes as the council this week posted an online survey asking for ideas for its proposed nature play area.

Roller Scott Bradley, a project manager by trade, says he knows people with specialised skills and knowledge who want to chip in with mulching, woodwork and plant selection.

“A local men’s group might do the woodworking and an environmental group can help out with the plant selection,” the father of two youngsters says.

The Bayswater man, who joined the Rollers in August, is working closely with the council and playground designers at Nature Play Solutions to engage with the community.

An idea bouncing around the drawing board is moving the playground closer to the hill, away from King William Street, making space for a community garden.

“Changing the location of the playground may cost up to 25 per cent of the $100,000 budget,” the council’s online survey warns.

There may also be a hedge maze, watercourse and logs for climbing. Glorious bugs, insects and earthworms will be provided by mother nature.

Local mum Taryn says in summer her kids don’t like playing on King William Street’s metal play equipment because it’s too hot.

In November, the Voice reported councillor Alan Radford saying residents should chip in when it comes to beautifying their neighbourhood.

He’d remembered when it was common for residents to help with community projects like creating gardens: “People took ownership and if someone came along to ruin it, they’d be the first ones to point out how they slaved away to make it,” he  had told councillors. “Now they’d just call the rangers because they’d think it’s the council’s problem.”

Council spokeswoman Julia Kogan told the Voice the council is happy to consider letting residents plant trees — supplied or self-funded — in parks or verges.

“The city can consider written requests on a case by case basis,” she says.

However, she notes, “the city has a duty of care with this type of work and the people who are not trained in this field could present a risk to themselves such as working near traffic”.

Bayswater council is taking all suggestions for nature play park through a survey. Submissions close on Monday, February 8. Visit bayswater.wa.gov.au.

by EMMIE DOWLING