Variety unveils Kings Park adventure play area

The children of Western Australia received a special gift from children’s charity, Variety WA, when it unveiled a new adventure play area at Kings Park.

In a joint project between Variety and the Botanic Gardens and Parks Authority, the Saw Avenue Picnic Area has been refurbished to offer an accessible, nature based play area and improved community facilities, including wheelchair access pathways, the Variety Pavilion, new barbeques and picnic facilities.

More than 150 children and guests road tested the adventure play area when it was officially opened by the Minister for Environment and Youth, the Hon. Donna Faragher at 11am, Monday 1 June 2009.

Variety WA CEO Michael Pailthorpe said the $600,000 new play area is one of the largest projects to be undertaken by the charity.

“Variety is delighted to have partnered with the Botanic Gardens and Parks Authority to create a truly inclusive play area that can be enjoyed by all Western Australian children and families,” he said.

Botanic Gardens and Parks Authority’s CEO said “The refurbishment includes nature inspired artwork and play elements created from recycled Kings Park timber, and was designed to retain the relaxed and community friendly setting of the Saw Avenue precinct.”

The redevelopment was funded by part proceeds of the 20th Anniversary Variety WA Bash, Western Australia’s biggest and most successful charity motor event.

In 2008, Variety WA assisted 97 individual children and 63 other children’s charities, providing more than $1.422 million net worth of equipment and services to enrich the lives of sick, disadvantaged and special needs children throughout Western Australia.