Bulleke-bek Park

An innovative play space for children and families

In 2017, Moreland City Council announced A Park Close to Home — a project to provide green space and play opportunities to children in under-resourced urban areas. To date, the results have been welcomed by the entire community. In particular, Bulleke-bek Park in Brunswick West, provided an innovative play space for children and families in Melbourne’s Inner West. adventure+ was glad to be involved in the creation of this playground.

Brunswick West has historically been defined by a lack of green space and kid friendly zones, so it’s no surprise that Bulleke-Bek Park has been warmly received by the entire community. And Bulleke-Bek playground is always busy – a great indicator that it is an engaging play space that successfully caters to the entire community.

Some of the key features of Bulleke-Bek Park include trees and plants, community gardens, Indigenous plantings and art, a sheltered barbecue and picnic area, drink bottle refill stations, bike parking, toilets and seating, and water sensitive urban design elements. However, at the centre of it all, is the adventurous playground created by adventure+.

It’s a great feeling to see children and families enjoying the space. That is what we are passionate about and aim for in every playground we create. Every design we create we think about the community it will serve. It’s fantastic to see Bulleke-Bek being enjoyed now and into the future.

Ashley Kelsey, adventure+ play consultant

Natural Space

One of the key design principles was to introduce as many natural elements as possible, so that Bulleke-Bek feels like a slice of nature in the city. Timber was selected as a main material and given a dark walnut coating. The irregular style cladding was also chosen to add to the natural and rustic look, combined with tree stumps for stepping stones, and a manual water pump so that water filters through a colourful mosaic stream into a dry creek bed.

Urban Treehouse

The playground has three stand-out fort structures with large platforms contained within. Timber cladding gives the forts a castle-like feel and a maze-like effect from within that provides plenty of exploring opportunities. Large and small slides branch out from the fort platforms, while wooden bridges, climbing nets and stepping stones connect all the play elements together for endless games of chasey.

Activity Windows

Brightly coloured perspex windows dot the fort structures, resulting in a kaleidoscopic effect when the sun shines through the playground. Furthermore, these cleverly positioned windows also encourage games of eye-spy, hide-and-seek, and prompt imaginative role play.

Play Value

Play value is maximised across the entire playground space, with natural landscape elements throughout and ancillary equipment like rockers and swings, including an inclusive nest swing. There is something for a range of ages and abilities, including easy access for toddlers and more challenging options like rope platforms for older children.

Just like the community, we’re really pleased how this project came together. What I love about this project is that you won’t find the same playground around the corner at another park, it’s customised and includes some really nice features like the Perspex windows that are unique.

Ashley Kelsey, adventure+ play consultant