Sydney Olympic Park and adjoining parklands enjoy a facelift on the twelfth anniversary of the 2000 Olympic Games, with the latest stage putting a strong emphasis on fun

The opening of the Blaxland Common Regional Playspace, comes twelve years since Hargreaves Associates established the site as an extension of the Sydney Olympic Parklands in time for the 27th Olympiad.

The existing design for the sprawling hilltop site was comprised of considerable over-sized earthforms and excavations that JMD Design have since embellished and built upon in creating an environment that caters lavishly to youth and families.

Designed around and into the dominant earthforms are interactive play elements such as slides, tunnels, flying foxes and climbing nets all customised to suit the pronounced topography.

Structurally, a twelve metre high ’tree-house’ offers views across treetops to the integrated sand pits and a water plaza serviced by 170 programmable jets, all adjacent to a Tonkin Zulaikha Greer (TZG) designed kiosk.

A riot of colour, the distinct new design has already proven a considerable success.

JMD Design

Tonkin Zulaikha Greer