Civic Park Playground Upgrade
Current status: Ongoing.
UPDATE: 5.11.25
Landscaping has been completed and we are now one step closer to the official opening.
Council is also aware the roll runner (mouse wheel) is damaged, this unfortunately occurred in transport and we are currently awaiting parts to repair it (expected late November).
UPDATE: 23.10.25
The playground is almost complete!
The new green soft fall has been installed.
Several items still remain to be completed, like the landscaping and fencing.
Details for the official opening will be announced soon via social media and a media release.
UPDATE: 15.10.25
The upgrade of Whyalla’s Civic Park is progressing well, with the latest works focusing on new lawn and play space upgrades.
Last week, around 2,000 square metres of fresh lawn were laid near the half-court basketball area and skate park, with staff from multiple departments joining forces to complete the large-scale job efficiently.
Play space works are also advancing, with concrete now complete, fencing underway, and landscaping set to begin this week.
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The amazing new playground at Civic Park is now well underway with never before seen in Whyalla equipment with first structures now installed.
Mayor Phill Stone said it was fantastic to see the project coming together, “The playground is starting to look great, and I cannot wait to see it finished and the community enjoying this new space. I see this as becoming a regular hub of family activity for huge portion of our population and a facility they well deserve, I commend all the local contractors who are currently working on this to bring it to the people.” Mayor Stone said.
Project Manager Jenny Sleep confirmed the works are on schedule, “The project is on track to be completed by the end of October, with the next stage of development focusing on concrete footpaths, fencing, landscaping and lawns adjacent to the play space and surrounding skate park” Ms Sleep said.
The playground has been designed through community consultation, with the most popular elements of a including the flying fox, in-ground trampoline, and inclusive roundabout all incorporated. These features are already visible in the current works, with more still to come.
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UPDATE: 25.09.25
The new soft fall surface is being installed, and the pathway construction is already halfway complete. You’ll also start to notice the early stages of fencing taking shape around the playground.
In the coming weeks, crews will be laying grass, completing irrigation, and adding landscaping to the area.
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UPDATE: Civic Park Play Space works
There are currently works happening where the Civic Park Play space upgrade will occur. We will provide updates as the work progresses.
UPDATE: Civic Park Play Space temporary fencing
There has been temporary fencing installed from 06.08.25 around where the Civic Park Play Space upgrade will occur. This fencing will remain in place until the project is complete. We will provide updates throughout this project.
UPDATE - Tree removal starting 21.07.25
Early preparation work for the new Civic Park playground will start Monday 21 July, with the removal of dead and failing trees in the area. The work will start early Monday morning and last for three days. The majority of trees identified could pose a risk to users of the site, so are being removed for safety reasons. This will also open up the view of the new playground, helping create passive surveillance and further improving safety for users of the facility.
Material from the trees will be reused in the new play space, with logs being used for nature play / borders / seating, and other material turned into mulch to reuse in the garden beds. To offset the removal, we will be planting double the number of trees elsewhere in the park and introducing extensive garden beds filled with local drought-tolerant species suited to our climate.
During the work, crews will have safety measures in place to minimise interactions with members of the public. This work will not impact the current playground, which will still be accessible throughout this upgrade.
We’ll continue to provide updates as the project progresses, including when the new equipment is ready to be installed. Check out the information / updates below for more context.
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PROJECT OVERVIEW
After nearly 20 years, Civic Park is about to undergo a major upgrade, with works starting soon on a modern, inclusive playground, shaped by community input.
Delivered under the Whyalla Economic Stimulus Program, the redevelopment aims to activate one of Whyalla’s most central public spaces, while supporting local businesses through expanded contracting opportunities.
Following feedback from more than 300 residents, several improvements were made to the original concept plan, including:
- Perimeter fencing
- Rubber soft-fall surfacing (on accessible and junior play areas)
- All-abilities and sensory-play equipment
- Upgraded lighting, shaded seating and shelter
The most popular elements identified by the community included the flying fox, in-ground trampoline and inclusive roundabout – all of which have been included in the final design.
Key features of the new Civic Park playground include:
- Inclusive and accessible play equipment
- Dynamic elements for jumping, swinging and digging
- Educational and sensory play features
- New connecting pathways
- Sheltered seating and shaded zones
- Sensory garden beds and landscaping.
While works are underway, the existing playground will remain open, ensuring continued access for local families. Construction will roll out in stages over the coming weeks, with updates on progress shared via council’s channels.
Some photos of the new equipment below:
Accessible Roundabout + Bucket.
Swing + Trampoline + Mouse Wheel.
Flying Fox + Hexagonal Swing.
