Project Update
Thank you for sharing your thoughts! We received 74 survey responses sharing a wealth of valuable feedback to inform the project.
We recently asked the community to rank the types of play experiences they’d most like to see as part of the replacement for the Liberty Swing—and spinning came out on top!
In response, our project team has commenced design work to remove the Liberty Swing and install a new inclusive carousel at Simmons Park. We’ll share the final design on this page as soon as it’s ready.
All the ideas, insights, and feedback gathered through the survey are being carefully considered to help shape the future play space. We also heard that many people will miss the wheelchair-accessible swinging experience provided by the Liberty Swing. We’re committed to exploring future opportunities to introduce a new style of wheelchair swing at Simmons Park.
If you’d like to talk to someone about the project, feel free to reach out to one of our project officers listed in the ‘Who’s listening’ section.
A heartfelt thank you to the representatives from Variety Tasmania, Care2Serve, Southern Support School, and Young Leaders of Tasmania, whose support, guidance, and shared ideas have been instrumental in shaping this project.
Background
Making Play More Inclusive at Simmons Park
The Liberty Swing at Simmons Park, Lindisfarne, has been a well-loved piece of equipment for wheelchair users since it was installed in 2007. However, it’s now time for an upgrade.
When it was first put in, the swing was considered top-of-the-line for accessible play. But over the years, a few design issues have become clear. To use the swing, you need a special key, and it’s surrounded by high fencing. These features make it harder for people to use and don’t match today’s best practices for inclusive play design.
What’s Happening Next?
The City of Clarence has received funding from the Local Government Association Tasmania to replace the Liberty Swing with new, inclusive, wheelchair-accessible play equipment.
Why Are We Replacing the Liberty Swing?
When it was first installed, the Liberty Swing was a big step forward in accessible play. It allows users to stay in their wheelchairs while swinging, which was a fantastic innovation at the time.
However, because of safety concerns while the swing is in motion, it has to be fenced off from the wider playground. To use it, you also need a special Master Locksmiths Access Key (MLAK Key) to unlock the safety harness and ramp. Unfortunately, the key barrel and lock can get stuck, leaving people unable to use the swing.
Having to separate children from the rest of the playground with fences and needing a special key to access equipment can make visiting the park more complicated for families.
Inclusive Play for Everyone
Play equipment design has come a long way since 2007. There are now plenty of wheelchair-friendly options that don’t require keys or fencing. These new designs make it easy for all children, regardless of age or ability, to swing, rock, bounce, spin, or just play together.
Survey has closed
Feedback will help to inform the selection of the most suitable new item of equipment and the design of the surrounding landscape.
