Ilbery Reserve Playground Upgrade

The playground is due for renewal. The existing rubber surfacing is in poor condition and there is an opportunity to improve the equipment and layout to meet contemporary safety, accessibility and functional requirements.

Ilbery Reserve Playground is located on Barry Street, Neutral Bay, adjacent to the Neutral Bay Club.

Council has developed two concept design options for the playground. Both seek to improve accessibility, inclusion and play opportunities while retaining the Reserve's leafy character.

Option 1 focuses on a fully fenced, inclusive playground environment. Option 2 incorporates an aviation-inspired theme connected to Peter Ilbery and provides a dedicated fenced area for off-leash dogs.

The concepts let the community consider different approaches to the playground, including how to separate the play space from the adjoining off-leash dog area. Differing views on this issue were identified during the initial consultation.

Earlier community feedback identified priorities including accessibility, diverse play opportunities, separation between children and off-leash dogs, seating, drainage, landscaping and retaining the Reserve's mature trees, shade and character. These priorities informed development of the concept designs.

Council's Access and Inclusion Committee feedback was also considered, including accessible parking and access, wheelchair-accessible play, quiet spaces, and appropriate separation between the playground and dog off-leash area.

The project aims to retain the established leafy character of the Reserve, and the concepts provide for the retention of existing shade structures.

Accessibility and inclusion are key considerations for both concepts. Proposed features include accessible parking and pathways, accessible picnic facilities and a drinking fountain, and inclusive play opportunities.

Both options aim to better separate children's play from the adjoining off-leash dog area, but they take different approaches.

Option 1 proposes a fully fenced playground. Option 2 proposes a dedicated fenced off-leash dog area.

Council has allocated $600,000 to the project in its 2026-27 Capital Works Program.

Council will review the community feedback received during the exhibition. A report on the consultation outcomes, together with the preferred fianl concept design, will then be presented to Council.