by Shane Sody

Two locations within Rymill Park/ Murlawirrapurka (Park 14 of your Adelaide Park Lands) have been recognised with awards for landscape architecture.

The Australian Institute of Landscape Architects (SA & NT) has highlighted the Quentin Kenihan Inclusive Playspace with its 2024 Award for "Playspaces".

The AILA citation praises both the City of Adelaide and Wax Design on the project. It says:

“The Quentin Kenihan Inclusive Playspace has successfully been able to foster play for diverse range groups, allowing users who may not be well catered for in conventional design to participate in play.

“By providing an inclusive and accessible play space developed through community-led design, the space is contributing to a better quality of life for children who may have mobility issues, vision and hearing impairments and spectrum disorders, an outcome which no doubt honours the project’s namesake.

“Alongside the inclusion of diverse play spaces and equipment, and thorough accessibility planning, the natural elements and plantings add a holistic sensory experience for Adelaideans of all abilities and ages to enjoy in the Park Lands.”

Across East Terrace, another feature tucked away in the south-western corner of Rymill Park caught the eye of the AILA judges to win in the category of "Small Projects".

The "Place of Reflection" officially unveiled in September 2023 was praised by the AILA judges for demonstrating "how a considered collaborative approach strengthens the foundation of expression to share stories of truth, culture, creation, and healing." The feature was designed by Yvonne Koolmatrie and Karl Meyer along with Exhibition Studios, City of Adelaide and WAX Design.

See the full gallery of award winners here: https://aila.awardsplatform.com/gallery/zbDvvDWG

The South Australian and Northern Territory prize-winning projects will go on to be judged as part of the national Landscape Architecture awards, due to be announced in October 2024.

Banner image at top: From left: designer Karl Meyer, Lord Mayor Jane Lomax-Smith, Ngarrindjerri weaver Aunty Yvonne Koolmatrie, and Attorney-General Kyam Maher at the official opening on 14 September 2023. Pic: courtesy of Jane Lomax-Smith