SPRING Road Community Kindy has unveiled a brand-new playground, blending natural materials with much-loved play features thanks to the generous support of community grants from Lotterywest and Community Bank Forrestfield.

The upgrade replaces the original 1990 metal play structure, which was enjoyed by kindy children for more than 30 years.

While well-loved, it had reached the end of its life and no longer met modern playground standards, paving the way for a new design to serve future families.

Designed and built by Nature Play Solutions, the new playground reflects the kindy’s philosophy of nature-based play.

Highlights include a polished concrete slide, a custom-designed play fort that retains beloved features like monkey bars and a fireman’s pole, and a much-needed new shade sail for additional sun protection.

Teacher-in-charge Lucy Nilsson, who has taught at Spring Road Community Kindy for the past 10 years, said the upgrade was both necessary and exciting.

“The old play equipment served us well but was no longer suitable for the needs of today’s children. While it held a lot of nostalgia, it had deteriorated, and the monkey bars were too low to properly challenge or support physical development,” she said.

“I was fortunate to be included in the planning process, and I’m thrilled with the outcome. The new playground is beautifully made, fitting seamlessly into our natural outdoor space.

“The polished concrete slide has been an instant hit, and the higher monkey bars are now a favourite - helping children build strength and agility. It’s wonderful to see the play journey between our structures come to life in a way that truly supports learning and growth.”

The project also holds special meaning for families across Kalamunda, many of whom have long-standing connections to the kindy.

Parent Committee President Catalina Anderson said the kindy has been part of the Kalamunda community for 65 years.

“Parents and children have been coming here for decades, and I was one of them. I attended this kindy in 1991 and have a class photo of me on the original fort over 30 years ago. To now see my own son enjoying the brand-new playground is incredibly special.

“This upgrade wouldn’t have been possible without the support of community grants from Lotterywest and Community Bank Forrestfield, as well as the suppliers and tradespeople who contributed along the way.

“It’s a reminder of the generosity and strong community spirit that surrounds Spring Road Community Kindy. This playground will be loved not just by today’s families, but by hundreds more in the decades to come.”

The playground project is the culmination of years of effort by the kindy’s volunteer parent committee, supported by the wider community through countless fundraising initiatives.

With a new committee elected each year, delivering a large-scale grant application and seeing a multi-year project through to completion is no small feat.

The result is a space that supports the community kindy’s ethos of play-based learning, one the current kindergarten class has embraced with joy.