Client:              Town of Cottesloe / Cottesloe Coastcare
Location:         Curtin Ave, Vlamingh Memorial, Cottesloe
Dates:              Mar, 2020
Outcome:        Public Nature Discovery Space

Cottesloe Coastcare and the Town of Cottesloe approached NBP to help them incorporate Nature Play into a rehabilitation site on the dune/vegetation area above Cottesloe beach. After removing large tracts of invasive tea tree, Cottesloe Coastcare and the council wanted to rehabilitate and restore the coastal area with new plantings and integrate nature discovery and play for the public to enjoy.

After collaborative meetings with Coastcare and council staff on what would work best for the site in terms of restoration, accessibility and public amenity, NBP completed a concept design for the large area. The design encompassed a Nature Discovery Space which reflected the existing natural elements of coastal dunes, allowing children (and adults) to meander through the space and discover aspects of nature in a play environment.

Stage 1 construction consisted of re-sculpting the degraded dune sand area and incorporating large limestone rocks and natural logs to create a natural landscaped swale and mound area of discovery. It included water carved rocks, a rhizolith limestone rock formation with fossils, shells, corals and other ocean elements, plus a rock mound for climbing and viewing the adjacent beach and ocean below.

At Stage 2 construction of larger Nature Play items were installed including calf humpback climber, fairy bridge, cubby frames, limestone paths, carved logs and loose parts for cubby building and imaginative play. This re-established the degraded area into a natural landscape and discovery area, with sensitive nature play and sensory elements.

A series of Looking Glass portals were later installed at various heights and locations around the space, to view the intricate patterns of nature up close.

The Nature Discovery Space is regularly tended to by the amazing team of volunteers at Cottesloe Coastcare. See their notes on the project here:

https://www.cottesloecoastcare.org/fantastic-news/

Cottesloe Discovery Space has won the following awards:

Parks & Leisure Australia WA and also National 2022 Best Playspace Award under $0.5M