Play and history combine for State Landscape Architecture Award

The City of Marion’s Open Space and Planning team has won a 2022 South Australia Landscape Architecture Award for its work on the George Street Reserve in the Marion Historic Village precinct.

The award for best play space was announced by the Australian Institute of Landscape Architects (AILA) on July 1 and was among nineteen projects to receive recognition for outstanding contributions to South Australia’s landscape architecture industry and the broader community.

George Street Reserve is located in a historically significant part of the City of Marion, the site of the original village. Recent upgrades to the play area paid homage to early settlement history with references to the clay bricks sourced from the area from the 1840’s through to the 1940’s.

The AILA judges said the reserve upgrade challenged the notion of approaches to play and historic references with play elements such as a sandpit and water play that referenced the use of the site as a ‘Pug’ – a source of clay - and the drawing of water from Sturt River for brick making.

“The George Street Reserve upgrade creatively and sympathetically adapts a culturally significant site, resulting in a playful and educational response. Historical narratives celebrate the past through tactile and interactive elements.

“The Jury commends City of Marion Open Space and Planning’s approach to an authentic and sympathetic consultation process which fosters a greater sense of community. The collection and reuse of 130 clay bricks from members of the community is a heart-warming way for the public to connect to the play space and create their own history.”

Besides the City of Marion’s Open Space and Planning team, including their Senior Landscape Architect Peter Semple who designed the site, the project involved the Marion Heritage Research Centre, timber artist Geoff Bromilow, rock artist Rockstar Creations, signage, and stencil designer ECEPT and landscape contractor Outside Ideas.

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