The annual Penrith Mayoral Challenge program invites young people to co-design a new playspace or upgrade an existing playspace within their community.

Each year, the Mayor challenges a group of school students to design a playspace that is inclusive and reflects the unique needs of their community.

Participants learn a range of skills through the process, including how to be leaders in their community, collaborate and how to design spaces that are welcoming for all.

• new play equipment
• pathways
• seating
• surface upgrades
• water bubblers
• natural and/or artificial shade
• landscaping

The following may not be possible in all local playspace upgrades:

• different location within reserve
• water play or splash pad
• toilets
• fencing

With more than 150 playspaces across the LGA, we have an ongoing program to upgrade these facilities to ensure they are modern and inclusive for generations to come.

After conducting a site assessment and community consultation, Council develops the design for a playspace upgrade in line with the NSW Government’s ‘Everyone Can Play’ guidelines and Council’s ‘Playspace Design Guidelines’.

Our ‘Playspace Design Guidelines’ outline the types of infrastructure which need to be included in an upgrade depending on whether the playspace is a local, district, or Citywide facility.

You can find these guidelines in the Sport and Recreation Strategy.

As part of Council’s Shade Facilities at Playspaces Policy, we are committed to providing shade facilities at all existing and future planned playspaces across the Local Government Area.

When designing a playspace, we assess the site to determine the shade facilities required. This can include:

• natural shade such as trees and vegetation, and/or
• artificial shade such as shade sails, play equipment with shade features, picnic shelters and other built structures.

Natural shade provided by existing trees and/or planting new trees is prioritised as a long-term shade solution because it contributes to cooling of the City, provides attractive public spaces, and creates a positive impact on people’s health and wellbeing.

Council conducts ongoing shade audits at playspaces across the City to monitor effectiveness of shade provision and enable planning of additional shade facilities if required.

Council has an ongoing program to upgrade playspaces across the City each year, so there's a good chance that your playspace could be next in line for Parks Asset Renewal funding in the coming years.

To find out more you can visit our Playspace Upgrades page.

Or you can reach out to the Council contact on this page.

You can report any maintenance issues via Council's Online Services Portal.