The Australian Institute of Landscape Architects (AILA) announces a national competition to recognise and celebrate some of Australia’s best designed public playspaces as well as the landscape architects who designed them.
The competition, Australia’s Best Playground invites AILA members to submit finished playspace projects, ranging from adventure playgrounds and cross fit circuits to waterplay and senior fitness courses. Selected by People’s Choice and an expert jury, the winning entrant will receive an all-expenses paid trip to the home of Lappset, Rovaniemi in Finland, courtesy of AILA’s Principal Corporate Partner, Lappset Australia.
According to AILA’s CEO Shahana McKenzie, the Australia’s Best Playground presents a great opportunity to profile the incredible work of AILA members as well as encourage the public to think about the positive impacts of these playspaces on their community.
Lack of access to green spaces can lead to a higher incidence of preventable chronic health problems such as diabetes, obesity, cardiovascular disease and heart disease. Well-designed playspaces not only encourage healthy physical activity and development in children, but also provide a supportive social environment where children, adolescents, adults and the elderly can meet, interact, and socialise.
Australia’s Best Playground jury comprises of industry leaders including Daniel Bennett AILA, National President of the Australian Institute of Landscape Architects; James Grant FAILA, Principal Urban Design at JMD Design; Gary Ford AILA, Director of Outlines Landscape Architecture; and Dr Barbara Chancellor of RMIT University and board member of Play Australia.
Entries are now open via AILA’s website until midnight 15 March 2016, with the winning project to be announced on 24 May 2016.
