THE STORY
Pia’s Place was created in memory of baby Pia Maeve Rudd who died suddenly from SIDS.
Pia’s Mum, Amy Rudd, dreamed of creating a space where children of ALL abilities could enjoy playing without the barriers often experienced by people with disabilities. Pia’s Place was developed with the support of The Touched by Olivia Foundation, the Livvi’s Place National Network of inclusive play spaces and the Lions Club of Noranda to provide an inspirational nature based inclusive play space.
ALL ABILITIES
Pia's Place is accessible by car (ACROD parking bays at the entrance), tram (wheelchair ramp to tram), on foot or by bicycle/scooter/pram (bike racks at entrance) along the network of walking paths within Whiteman Park. The playground is fully fenced with picnic tables, barbecues, party shelters and drinking fountains within the fence. Toilet facilities including a world class Changing Place’s® facility are located outside the main entrance gate.
For info on disabled access at Whiteman Park click on this link: https://www.whitemanpark.com.au/visitor-info/disabled-access
PLAYGROUND FEATURES
Pia's Place playground is massive (8000 square metres) so there is plenty to keep the kids entertained, busy, engaged and challenged. Set amongst mature shady trees the play elements are well spaced allowing children to move on to quieter play spaces if they desire. There is no line of sight in this playground so younger children will need to be supervised.
Pia's Place is dominated by a massive 8 m tall red and white striped lighthouse which represents a beacon of light and hope to families experiencing loss, grief or illness. The lighthouse offers 360 degree views from the top and a spiralling slide back down to the ground. For those who can not or prefer not to climb the lighthouse they can enjoy the same views via video screens in the tunnel and they can talk to the kids up in the lighthouse through a speaking tube.
Kids can scramble up, down, over, and through the vast network of poles, nets, rocks, monkey bars, slides and ropes surrounding the lighthouse.
They can set sail for far horizons...
Travel in an old wagon or drive an old vehicle.
There are a variety of swings to suit all abilities...
a flying fox and a carousel...
and a colony of "nests".
They can build their own cubby...
or play with water and sand in the stream.
There are plenty of stepping and balancing logs for those that like to stay close to the ground.
Children can discover quiet nooks, cosy corners and perch points hidden throughout the play space. Sensory experiences are through musical elements and plants with different textures, colours and smells to explore.
There are opportunities for children to engage in calculated risk and physical challenge according to their abilities within the playspace, making it a place of excitement for all ages and abilities and a place to return to over and over again.
The Guerilla Hub Cafe is located on the other side of the tram tracks and is open from 8.30am to 1pm weekdays and until 4pm on the weekend. There are additional picnic tables and lots of grassy areas immediately outside the fenced playground. The Whiteman Park Dog Park is 50m away.
Other nearby features and walk trails linked by footpath within Whiteman Park are:
Mussel Pool (300m) - https://www.outandaboutfnc.com/post/2019/11/05/whiteman-park
Werrilyiup Trail (700m) - https://www.outandaboutfnc.com/post/2019/08/11/werrilyiup-walktrail-whiteman-park
Wunanga Trail - https://www.outandaboutfnc.com/post/2019/08/02/wunanga-trail-whiteman-park
KID’S PARTIES AT PIA’S PLACE
Shelters are available to hire from Whiteman Park to ensure you have a large shaded area.
Numerous picnic tables are scattered around the playground and there are grassed areas too.
Village Café has made it easy for parents planning birthday parties at Pia’s Place by offering party food delivered to you in the playground.
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I love wandering along trails, both marked and unmarked, and sharing my discoveries with my Out and About FNC community. If you enjoy reading my blogs please consider a small donation which will be used towards the costs of keeping the website up to date and relevant.
In the spirit of reconciliation Out and About- Family Nature Connection acknowledges the traditional owners of the Wadjak boodjar (Perth land) and their connections to land, sea and community. We pay our respect to their elders past and present and extend that respect to all Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples today.
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