Virginia Playground and Recreational Space Project
Following the Gawler River Flood in November 2005, significant consultation and collaboration occurred in the Virginia region to establish a way forward for the community. The consultation, carried out by the Department of Families and Communities Office of Recovery, identified the need to create a recreational space for families.
The City of Playford worked in partnership with Department of Families and Communities and Office of Recovery, as part of the Imagine Virginia Project using the research from this project as a basis to develop recreational concept plans.
In June 2006 an information stand was set up at the Virginia Shopping Centre to engage people in the Imagine Virginia Project. A simple survey form was developed and members of the project team talked to the community about Virginia. From this process, the need for a playground and recreation space in Virginia was identified.
To confirm ideas that were raised in the initial survey, a second round of consultation was in held in Virginia in March 2007. There were 60 individual responses, as well as, ideas from Year 6 & 7 Virginia Primary School students.
Using Vietnamese speaking service providers and translation services ensured multicultural audiences were also included.
The project has substantially refit the existing playground located to the southern end of Virginia oval, Port Wakefield Road, Virginia, with new play equipment, outdoor fitness equipment, shade sails, picnic facilities and an upgrade of the existing toilet block.
Funding for the project was provided by the City of Playford, Planning SA, Department of Families and Communities, the Vietnamese Farmers Association and the Virginia Community.
The Project was completed in April 2008 and officially launched on 20 June 2008 by the Hon Paul Holloway Minister for Urban Development and Planning.
