Kukundi Nature Playspace
A Healthy Parks, Healthy People Initiative
- YEAR: 2017
- STATE: New South Wales
- FOCUS AREAS: Environmental Education/Growing Parks/SDG 15: Life on Land/SDG 17: Partnerships for the goals
- YEAR: 2017
- STATE: New South Wales
- FOCUS AREAS: Environmental Education/Growing Parks/SDG 15: Life on Land/SDG 17: Partnerships for the goals
To coincide with National Tree Day, Kukundi Nature Playspace was unveiled at a launch event in Lane Cove National Park on Friday, 28 July, 2016. The outdoor space features a range of new Nature Play equipment that aims to reconnect kids with nature and the outdoors.
Nature play is a term used to describe the creation of simple play opportunities in the natural environment. It is a global movement, aiming to get kids away from TVs, computers and smartphones, and back playing outside by providing unique nature play experiences for families and children.
FNPW support
This project was funded through generous donations from FNPW supporters across Australia and beyond.
Major sponsor: SC Johnson
Project overview
Healthy nature sustains our life, livelihoods and liveability. Conserving parks for present and future generations provides inspirational and therapeutic settings that foster lifelong connections with nature and each other. Parks that are valued and maintained are also fundamental to economic growth and vibrant and healthy communities.
Healthy Parks Healthy People aims to unlock the power of nature and parks for their preventative and restorative health and wellbeing benefits, while conserving biodiversity.
About the project: Kukundi Nature Playspace
In 2016, Foundation for National Parks & Wildlife partnered with SC Johnson to revitalise the former Kukundi precinct into a Nature Playspace and Trail area in Lane Cove National Park.
The partnership helped to fund the creation of the Kukundi Nature Playspace and installation of Nature Play equipment for kids to play in nature. Nature play encourages kids and parents to see the natural environment and National Parks as a place to enjoy, play, imagine, relax and explore.
Foundation for National Parks & Wildlife and our Backyard Buddies education program encourages outdoor play so it becomes a normal part of every child’s life, so that they can develop into resilient, healthy and creative members of the community.
Nature play is a term used to describe the creation of simple play opportunities in the natural environment. Nature play encourages kids and parents to see the natural environment and National Parks as a place to enjoy, play, imagine, relax and explore. Nature Play is a global movement, aiming to get kids away from TVs, computers and smartphones and back playing outside providing unique nature play experiences for families and children.
A group of students from Beauty Point School attended the launch and were the first to trial the nature play equipment.
“We are really delighted with the outcome. SC Johnson and FNPW have been pivotal in moving the nature play space project from a dream to a reality. We hope to see many families and young children using the space and enjoying our natural environment.”
Michele Cooper – Lane Cove National Park Area Manager
ACKNOWLEDGEMENT OF COUNTRY
FNPW supports projects across Australia. In the spirit of reconciliation the we acknowledge the Traditional Owners of Country and recognise their continuing connection to land, waters and culture.
PROGRESS OF THIS PROJECT
The project was completed in 2017.
This project was funded by FNPW in 2016.
PROJECT PARTNERS
NSW NPWS is the lead organisation for this project.
Further information about our project partner can be found on their website:
www.nationalparks.nsw.gov.au/visit-a-park/parks/lane-cove-national-park
Latest News on this Project
Corporate kindness builds nature play area
FNPW, partnering with SC Johnson, has continued to support this unique children’s play area in Lane Cove National Park, Sydney. The new nature play equipment provides opportunities for children to engage in nature play, helping them to acquire skills that will assist them in becoming confident in outdoor environments.
The project has involved several corporate volunteer teams helping with bush regeneration, rubbish removal, painting the buildings, and carrying out an extensive clean-up of the area.
Kukundi is also home to a Bat crèche for Grey-headed Flying-foxes. These flying-foxes are now considered endangered, largely due to land clearing and habitat loss. Sydney Wildlife Service has maintained the crèche for orphaned flying-foxes at Kukundi for many years. The team of volunteers successfully rehabilitate and release flying-foxes back into their natural habitat.
FNPW would like to thank SC Johnson for funding the new nature play equipment, involving their employees and demonstrating their shared value to support and engage children in environmental education activities.
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