Client
Frasers Property Australia
Overview
New Communities
Collaborators
Touched by Olivia
P & H Civil Landscape
Elite Crossings
ASCO Group
City of Casey Council
Disciplines
Landscape Architecture
Location
Doncaster, VIC
Date
2025
Imagery
Tract
Frasers Property Australia
Tree Walk Park at Berwick Waters offers a one-of-a-kind experience with its accessible elevated boardwalk that winds through the existing mature tree canopy.
As an accredited Livvi’s Place inclusive playground within the City of Casey, the park has been thoughtfully designed to welcome children of all abilities, their families, friends and the wider community. Developed with support from Frasers Property Australia, Tract, and the Touched by Olivia Foundation, this community-focused space is designed for everyone.
The Tree Walk playground seamlessly integrates an accessible elevated boardwalk with a variety of engaging play elements, forming a dynamic and inclusive play environment. At its heart are two striking towers – a main play tower and a viewing tower – connected by slides of varying sizes, net hammocks, fireman’s poles, climbing nets and walls, swings, spinners, monkey bars, pommels, and an impressive 12-metre-long scramble net.
Beyond the playground, Tree Walk Park offers a wide range of recreational amenities, including a spacious enclosed dog park, a central ‘green link’ swale, an active sports court, and a kickabout lawn. Offering spaces for respite, gathering and connection, the recreation spaces are complemented by shelters, BBQ facilities, drinking fountains, and seating areas thoughtfully placed throughout the park.
A network of path connections guides visitors through the reserve, linking them to the broader Berwick Waters community and the surrounding waterway corridor.
The inspiration for Tree Walk Park began with the existing trees – a mix of Redgums and Spotted Gums which once lined a rural driveway. Once the trees were assessed as healthy and suitable for retention, the idea of creating an elevated walkway through the canopy was born. Protecting the trees long-term health was a key design principle. The design team worked closely with an arborist to carefully plan the layout, exploring multiple design options to balance user experience and tree health.
During construction, special care was taken to minimise impact on tree roots, including non-destructive digging methods, central placement of support piers, and monitoring by the arborist throughout key construction stages ensure the trees remained healthy and thriving. Through this thoughtful approach, the trees have become a living part of the park experience.
From the early design stages through to construction, regular workshops helped shape Tree Walk Park with a strong focus on accessibility and inclusion. A key feature is the 1:14 DDA-compliant ramp, which allows wheelchair users to access most of the elevated boardwalk through the tree canopy. Inclusive play panels, musical chimes, and bells create a rich sensory experience, while ground surfaces (gravel, mulch, rubber) provide incidental opportunities for sensory play. Other accessible features include swings, spinners, and a slide designed for easy wheelchair transfer. Handrails in the sandpit and along natural play elements like rocks and balance beams provide stability.
Clear, wide paths allow easy navigation and entry signage with visual cues help users understand and explore the space. Quiet breakout spaces offer a safe retreat. Shelters with large wheelchair-accessible picnic tables allow groups to gather, and accessible toilets, including an electric adult change table, support a wide range of needs.
From big design moves like the winding ramp through the tree canopy, to small spaces for quiet exploration, embedding accessibility in the design process has created a park and playground that is inclusive and welcoming.
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