Getting down to business: This time, the calculators were out!
The ideas were flowing when we first met Stanley Primary School students to talk about the new Kings Park Playground. But when we went back this week, things got a little more serious. This time, there was a budget to work with!
Armed with a list of playground equipment, prices and plenty of enthusiasm, the Grade 4, 5 and 6 students quickly discovered that designing a playground isn't quite as easy as it sounds. Especially when you're trying to keep everyone happy AND stay within budget!
Students were given a range of equipment to choose from, including large play structures, swings, flying foxes, hamster wheels and more. Each came with a price tag, and their challenge was to decide what to include without blowing the budget.
But it wasn't just about the money. There was plenty more to think about.
Would the equipment suit different age groups? Was it accessible? Could lots of children use it at once, or just one? Would it fit in the space? And were they choosing a good mix of activities?
There were some great conversations. Did they really need lots of spinning equipment? What about swings? And if most kids already have a trampoline at home, would it be better to have something different at the park?
There was a LOT of discussion, negotiation and some very persuasive arguments!
Working in groups, the students had to make their choices and explain why they'd picked each item. This was really useful for us. If we can't include a particular piece of equipment, knowing what they liked about it means we can look for something with similar features.
They also put together a second wish list, just in case some of their first choices aren't possible or we manage to secure some extra funding.
It was fantastic to see just how invested the students were. There were some pretty serious discussions happening around the room, and we think a few of them might have a future on Council with their negotiating skills!
One of the school staff even commented that she'd never seen the students so engaged and concentrating so hard. For some, trying to balance all the different decisions was a bit overwhelming, which probably gave them a good appreciation of what goes into a project like this.
We are really enjoying working with these young people. They're not just giving us a wish list. They're thinking about what will work for everyone, understanding the challenges and helping us make decisions that will shape their playground.
A huge thank you to the students and staff at Stanley Primary School. We really appreciate the effort you're putting into this project.
The students are now very keen to see the final design, watch the playground being built and, of course, come along to the official opening.
 |  |
|---|---|
 |  |
 |