Case Studies
Ecco Ripley - Pebbles Park and Faye Carr Park
Design Feature
Type of project
Masterplan
State
Queensland
Location
Regional
Ecco Ripley is a 194-hectare master planned estate by Sekisui House Australia. It is located in the western corridor at Ripley, Ipswich. The latest precinct, ‘Lighthaven’, was completed in 2018 and focuses on health and wellbeing by providing approximately 10 hectares of public open space including Pebbles Park and Faye Carr Park, which form part of the premier recreation network within Ecco Ripley.
Ecco Ripley aims to create true community living with a diversity of uses, residential types, and convenience all whilst nestled into existing environmental corridors and public open space.
Ecco Ripley aims to create true community living with a diversity of uses, residential types, and convenience all whilst nestled into existing environmental corridors and public open space.
A premier recreation network
Lighthaven was developed through a partnership between Saunders Havill Group and Sekisui House Australia (SHA), and guided by a SHA brief requiring the implementation of the Ecco development principles of Environment, Community, Connectivity and Opportunity. The brief additionally noted the consideration of sustainability, site heritage, user interaction, health and wellbeing, family usability and adaptability.
A rigorous coordination process was undertaken with Ipswich City Council to deliver a range of innovative design outcomes that considered park sizing, location and features including inclusive and sensory opportunities for the public.
The provision of multiple courts, outdoor gym, wider connecting/running paths, sporting goals, cricket play encourage physical activity and interaction for all ages, throughout the site
By prioritising the provision of good quality public open space, Lighthaven supports residents and visitors to Ecco Ripley to be physically active whilst staying within their community. This has benefits to community cohesion and social wellbeing, we well as physical activity levels.
The provision of multiple courts, outdoor gym, wider connecting/running paths, sporting goals, cricket play encourage physical activity and interaction for all ages, throughout the site
By prioritising the provision of good quality public open space, Lighthaven supports residents and visitors to Ecco Ripley to be physically active whilst staying within their community. This has benefits to community cohesion and social wellbeing, we well as physical activity levels.
### Pebbles Park
Pebbles Park was the first dog park for Ripley, and is complete with shelters, picnic setting, water fountains (inclusive of dog bowls) and additional bench seating. Providing areas that are suitable for dogs has been found to increase levels of physical activity in their owners. Located adjacent to the dog park is an active recreation node including a large turf kickabout and cricket play space. Furthermore, a circular path system creates site connectivity and opportunity for an impromptu running track that links the adjacent full-size basketball court and handball courts. Large green public open spaces are important to encourage physical activity, and has been considered in designing Lighthaven.
Two play nodes have additionally been provided - a primary node including a range of equipment, catering for multi-aged play and a ‘mega swing’. A shelter, picnic setting, bench seating, water fountain and hopscotch grid are also aligned with the play area. LED lighting is provided to the primary thoroughfare through the park, linking to future stages of Ecco Ripley, which in turn aims to create a larger connected path and exercise network.
Pebbles Park was the first dog park for Ripley, and is complete with shelters, picnic setting, water fountains (inclusive of dog bowls) and additional bench seating. Providing areas that are suitable for dogs has been found to increase levels of physical activity in their owners. Located adjacent to the dog park is an active recreation node including a large turf kickabout and cricket play space. Furthermore, a circular path system creates site connectivity and opportunity for an impromptu running track that links the adjacent full-size basketball court and handball courts. Large green public open spaces are important to encourage physical activity, and has been considered in designing Lighthaven.
Two play nodes have additionally been provided - a primary node including a range of equipment, catering for multi-aged play and a ‘mega swing’. A shelter, picnic setting, bench seating, water fountain and hopscotch grid are also aligned with the play area. LED lighting is provided to the primary thoroughfare through the park, linking to future stages of Ecco Ripley, which in turn aims to create a larger connected path and exercise network.
### Faye Carr Park
Faye Carr Park pays respect to the contribution of 2017 NAIDOC Female Elder of the Year, Faye Carr. This park includes a multi-use plaza area for community gatherings, ball games and market stall/food vans during event days. The central park core aims to encourage sporting and user activity through provision of another largescale kickabout with sporting goal posts, a multi-use gaming court, half-netball court and full outdoor gym. The park also contains wide, curvilinear pathways which serve for both park connectivity and running circuits throughout.
The northern section of the park offers a tertiary kickabout, a mini learn to ride track and a ‘snakes and ladders’ play area. Working with topography, the level change was incorporated into batter slides, climbing ropes and a larger snakes and ladder game - utilising gaming spinners to create a life-sized board game up and down the softfall batters. This area also transitions the park from recreational use to environmental and drainage outcomes in a clear and safe manner.
Faye Carr Park pays respect to the contribution of 2017 NAIDOC Female Elder of the Year, Faye Carr. This park includes a multi-use plaza area for community gatherings, ball games and market stall/food vans during event days. The central park core aims to encourage sporting and user activity through provision of another largescale kickabout with sporting goal posts, a multi-use gaming court, half-netball court and full outdoor gym. The park also contains wide, curvilinear pathways which serve for both park connectivity and running circuits throughout.
The northern section of the park offers a tertiary kickabout, a mini learn to ride track and a ‘snakes and ladders’ play area. Working with topography, the level change was incorporated into batter slides, climbing ropes and a larger snakes and ladder game - utilising gaming spinners to create a life-sized board game up and down the softfall batters. This area also transitions the park from recreational use to environmental and drainage outcomes in a clear and safe manner.
Project team
- Sekisui House Australia – Developer
- Saunders Havill Group – Landscape Architecture and Environmental Management
- Playscape Creations – Play Equipment
- Interface Landscapes – Landscape Contractor
- MPN Consulting – Civil Engineer
- SEE Civil – Civil Contractor
- Landpartners – Surveying and Town Planning
Project cost
- Pebbles Park - $800,000
- Faye Carr Park - $3.1 Million
Health value
- Both Pebbles Park and Faye Carr Park include a variety of play elements that allow different play movement, and the development of sensory, physical and social skills
- The provision of multiple courts, outdoor gym, wider connecting/running paths, sporting goals, cricket play encourage physical activity and interaction for all ages, throughout the site.
Economic value
- Pebbles Park and Fay Carr Park are a popular destination for the local and wider community, stimulating economic activity for the recently opened town centres and local stores.
- The Rehabilitation areas along Bundamba Creek have utilised job seekers and trainees in conjunction with State Government Funding and Challenge Employment and Training. Ninety trainees undertook rehabilitation works including replanting endangered Melaleuca Irbyana. Sixty eight of these trainees found employment following this opportunity.
Environmental value
Given SHA’s design brief, a range of environmentally conscious considerations have been achieved, including:
- Efficient LED lighting, timers, solar panelling and battery back-up systems, which minimise electrical consumption. These can be monitored by a real-time app, which tracks power consumption and inefficiencies.
- Extensive rehabilitation throughout the public open space and incorporation of fauna movement embellishments including koala refuge and glider poles help ensure true natural ecosystems are restored and maintained.
- Almost all tree stock in feature parks were installed as advanced stock to assist in providing as much natural shade up front for park users. Native species were prioritised to ensure lower ongoing maintenance and adaptability to suit the local climate.
Social value
The parks have reinvigorated the Ripley community by providing a diverse range of social interaction opportunities:
- Increased social activity through the site and suburb with large park turnouts at community days.
- Huge social value and engagement through play facilities for all ages
- Exercise and training on fitness equipment and sporting games on courts, cricket area and kickabouts.
- Social connection via dog park with ‘people and pet’ interaction.
- Evidence of community ownership of the parks and monitoring of activities and maintenance including via community feedback forums.
- Inclusive, sensory and adaptable play for park users.
Use value
- The plaza areas of the parks allow for adaptable uses including market days, sporting events, etc.
- The play spaces encourage all age interactions and parent involvement.
- The sporting inclusions promote healthy living and community use.
- Park consideration including ease of circulation and accessible ensure full opportunity of use by community at large.
- Clear and legible park layouts also promote park safety, which support user interaction.
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