Henderson Creek Wetland Playground
Design Intent
Fitzgerald Frisby Landscape Architecture designed this community space with the intent to provide gathering and play spaces for a variety of ages. The playground offers, shelter, seating areas, all ability play equipment and an educational experience that follows the life cycle of a growling frog. Using a mixture of salvaged materials, insitu structural items and proprietary furniture & equipment, the design includes a concrete frog sculpture, sawn and etched basalt boulders, intricate ‘splash pads’ within the rubber surfacing and a link path that situates the space within an existing natural landscape.
Project Delivery and Outcome
The inception and delivery of this project needed to be well planned. Whilst it had been long awaited and largely well receive by the local community, there was a high level of interest from all of the vendors and adjacent business owners. It was important that they were able to operate their normal business activities during the works and understood the value add of the project. The site has a Melbourne water easement running through the middle that was considered during the design phase but required some minor set out changes to ensure compliance with our structural items around their asset. We managed the sensitivity of the adjacent wetlands, flora, fauna and wildlife through in accordance with an approve SEMP. The works included minor civil improvements to remove some parking bays, re-establish disability parking and create a safe crossing from the shops to the playpace. Melbourne Landscape Group maintained the grass and planting to establishment and successfully handed over the playground and associated open space areas to City of Whittlesea in October 2025.
Testimonials
The Parks Development team at the City of Whittlesea has worked with MLG consistently over the past several years. Throughout this time, MLG has built a strong reputation for delivering high-quality work, completing projects on time and within budget. One of MLG’s standout qualities is their proactive approach to project delivery. They regularly review design drawings in relation to site-specific conditions and consistently seek opportunities to enhance outcomes. Their commitment to quality, attention to detail, and focus on achieving the best results for the local community have made them a valuable contractor to work with.
— Senior Landscape Architect