Gipps Street Recreation Precinct
Claremont Meadows, NSW, Australia
Project Details
Location: Claremont Meadows, NSW, Australia
Application: Recreation Centre
Year of Installation: 2024
Main Features:
- Sling Soaker
- Luminaries & Glow Effects
- Helices
- Waterfall 3
- Morning Grass 1
- Spritz Stick
- Ground Sprays
Former waste site becomes a favourite family destination with Waterplay at its heart.
Located on a remediated 32-hectare former landfill, the Gipps Street Recreation Precinct has transformed into a landmark destination for sport, recreation, and community connection. After years of planning and extensive revitalization works, the precinct opened in August 2024 and quickly became a favourite gathering place for families across Claremont Meadows and greater Western Sydney. With sports fields, netball courts, multi-use play spaces, youth areas, and a dedicated water play zone, the precinct delivers an all-ages experience designed to support active living.
At the heart of the children’s play space is a vibrant Waterplay® splash pad that brings colour, movement, and endless hours of fun to the precinct. Designed to be inclusive and engaging for visitors of all ages and abilities, the splash pad features bold aesthetics, dynamic spray elements, and multiple zones that encourage kids to explore, cool down, and play together. Early media coverage and community buzz have positioned the splash pad as one of the most exciting additions to the new facility.
The Challenge
Building the precinct came with the complexity of transforming a large former waste site into a safe, high-quality recreation space, and installing the splash pad required careful coordination within that broader construction effort. Like many outdoor projects, shifting site conditions and weather had the potential to impact timelines, making it essential for Waterplay features to be ordered, delivered, and installed efficiently.
Collaborating with Parkequip Pty Ltd. and Glascott Landscape and Civil, the Waterplay team provided on-site support and technical guidance to help keep installation progressing smoothly. Clear communication and adaptability were key to staying aligned with the evolving site schedule.
The Solution
Waterplay’s playPHASE™ anchoring system played a pivotal role in keeping the project on track. Designed for flexibility, durability, and long-term serviceability, playPHASE™ allows installers to set the in-ground bases early in construction, with spray features added later once the site is ready.
For Gipps Street, this meant the installation team could move ahead with critical underground work such as piping, surfacing, and concrete preparation before the arrival of the final feature components. In addition to installation efficiency, playPHASE™ provides long-term benefits to the operator by allowing for easy feature swaps or upgrades in the future without disturbing the concrete pad. This built-in adaptability supports lifecycle planning and ensures the splash pad can evolve with community needs.
Once the sitework was completed and the bases were securely in place, the Waterplay features were installed to finalize the design and bring the project to completion.
The Implementation
Designed by Fiona Robbé Landscape Architect, the splash pad is arranged into four circular play zones, each intentionally planned to maximize play value. The layout blends gentle, sensory water experiences with high-energy splash moments, ensuring there is something for every comfort level and age group.
Smaller Waterplayers can enjoy soft, calming effects from features such as the Spritz Stick and Waterfall 3, while thrill-seekers gravitate toward dynamic elements like the Sling Soaker. Helices add sculptural visual interest and playful movement, and the addition of Luminaries and Glow Effects helps keep the space lively and inviting even into the evening.
Shade sails installed over parts of the splash pad further enhance comfort, creating a safe place for families to linger, rest, and play longer, while the bright, colourful surfacing pulls the entire splash pad design together.
The Outcome
Since its opening, the Gipps Street Recreation Precinct has quickly become a beloved hub for families, offering an all-day destination where kids can move between the splash pad, playgrounds, sports fields, and open green spaces. The inclusion of water play has added a refreshing, high-engagement feature that draws consistent activity and supports multi-generational use.
Community response has been overwhelmingly positive, with strong attendance at opening events, enthusiastic coverage from parent and family media, and broad recognition of the precinct as a transformative community asset. Stakeholders have praised the play value, design quality, and integration of the splash pad within the wider precinct.
This success was underscored in November 2025 when the facility was awarded Community Facility of the Year at the Parks and Leisure Australia National Awards of Excellence. Celebrating innovative design, community impact, sustainability, and quality and safety, the award marks a significant milestone for the project. Waterplay is proud to have contributed to bringing this standout recreational destination to life!
Project Partners:
- Parkequip Ptd Ltd. - Installation partner handling cast-ins and on-site works
- Glascott Landscape and Civil – Project management and scheduling oversight
- Fiona Robbé Landscape Architect – Landscape architect
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