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Each August, we celebrate Inclusive Design Month as an opportunity to increase awareness of inclusive design principles, share practical knowledge, and reflect on how we can embed accessibility and inclusion more deeply within our work.
This year’s theme, Open Spaces, Open Futures: Inclusive Design for Youth, Play and Engagement, highlights the need to empower young people through thoughtful, inclusive design. By creating spaces that are inclusive, safe, and engaging for all, we not only support youth wellbeing and participation but also build stronger, healthier and more equitable communities.
Nathan Down, Associate Landscape Architect, and Kim Becherand, Head of Inclusive Play at the Touched by Olivia Foundation recently shared the process behind creating Tree Walk Park at Berwick Waters – an accredited ‘Livvi’s Place’ inclusive play space in Clyde North, VIC. Developed with support from Frasers Property Australia, Tract, and the Touched by Olivia Foundation (TBO), the Tree Walk Park reimagines what a community park can offer, inviting children of all abilities, their families, and the wider community to play, explore, and connect.
An Elevated Experience
It was a happy accident that a series of mature trees fell within the site for Tree Walk Park and ultimately became the driving force behind the play space design. What began as a concept to elevate users into the tree canopy, evolved into an accessible boardwalk offering an immersive experience amongst nature.
The result is a walkway that not only offers a unique perspective but also protects and integrates the trees as a living part of the park experience. From there, the concept grew – transforming the boardwalk into the heart of a vibrant, activated play space designed to be enjoyed by children and families of all ages and abilities.
"The existing trees inspired the concept of the Tree Walk structure - an accessible boardwalk that elevates users within the tree canopy. From there, the design focus shifted to ensuring the structure included a range of different play elements to help activate the space that would cater for a wide range of users."
– Nathan Down, Associate Landscape Architect
A Collaborative Approach to Inclusive Play
From the outset of the design process, Tract worked closely with Touched by Olivia (TBO) and the project team to ensure that inclusivity was embedded at every stage.
Kim’s knowledge and expertise has been instrumental in shaping the national conversation around inclusive play. With a mission of advocacy and best practice, TBO has influenced national policy through the NSW Government’s Everyone Can Play guidelines. TBO has created a legacy through its Livvi’s Place network, with more than 40 accredited inclusive playspaces across Australia.
The ‘Livvi’s Place’ accreditation is more than a label – it’s a commitment to ongoing quality and accessibility, and a recognition of the importance of play for child development. Central to the TBO approach is connection. Meaningful engagement with users who experience a range of barriers, guided the project and provided valuable insight to achieving creative and informed design solutions.
At Tree Walk Park, the team explored how children wanted to interact with nature – climbing high, retreating low, and immersing themselves in the canopy – inspiring the elevated walkway and emphasis on biophilic design.
By embedding inclusive principles from the beginning, Tree Walk Park has become more than just a play space – it is a story of advocacy, collaboration, and design excellence that truly changes lives by ensuring everyone can participate with value.
"Inclusive Design principles should form the foundation of every play space project. Many of these elements are easily achievable, and with thoughtful planning, early-stage understanding of the end user, and collaboration with experienced consultants such as Touched by Olivia, these inclusive spaces can be successfully delivered."
– Kim Becherand, Head of Inclusive Play at Touched by Olivia
Embedding Accessibility from the Ground Up
As an accredited Livvi’s Place, Tree Walk Park features a range of thoughtfully designed, sensory-rich and fully accessible play elements, ensuring children of all abilities can safely and independently engage with each other, their parents and carers. While these elements do not impede the experience of someone who does not require them, they are essential for those who do.
- 1:14 DDA-compliant ramp – one of the park’s most significant design features – provides full (walker, wheelchair and stroller) access to most of the elevated boardwalk, winding through the treetops.
- Accessible slide with transfer platform enables independent use by mobility device users. The stainless-steel surface can be used by hearing aid-users, who avoid plastic slides due to static. Shade from the tree canopy plus a shade sail above help combat high temperatures during summer months.
- Play panels, musical chimes, and bells offer sensory-rich experiences.
- Multiple ground surfaces like gravel, mulch, and rubber, provide incidental sensory play.
- Accessible swings, that include a more supportive seat for users. A 12 metre-long scramble net with plenty of room to manoeuvre around provides independent use by mobility device users, and allow easy adult and carer access.
- Handrails along balance beams, rocks, and natural play features provide stability.
- Accessible toilets – a fundamental accessibility element – includes an adult change table, to cater to a wide range of users.
- Wide, clear paths ensure ease of navigation and passing room for prams, wheelchairs, and mobility devices.
- Entry signage includes a communication board to navigate the space, find bearings and communicate non-verbally.
- Fenced playground creates a safe and contained environment.
- Quiet breakout areas offer safe retreats for those who need time away from high sensory activity.
- Shelters with large, wheelchair-accessible picnic tables and BBQ facilities encourage group gatherings for everyone.
- Accessible parking and drop-off zones ensures a designated space for groups and carers (buses, pram ramps).
Open Spaces, Open Futures
Tree Walk Park sets a benchmark for what thoughtful planning, design, and collaboration can achieve. By reflecting diverse needs, it supports youth wellbeing, strengthens community connection, and demonstrates how inclusive, well-designed spaces today can open opportunities and shape stronger, more equitable communities for the future.
Contact our team to find out about creating inclusive playspaces.
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