As part of the Spiire-led team, we helped the ACT Government refine concepts for a new play space in Watson. Many priorities from our co-design workshop are now part of the space, which opened in 2025.
The Inner North Play Space was planned as a destination for families and people of all ages, on open green space in Watson. Earlier community consultation by the ACT Government had set out clear priorities for the site. The next step was to test and refine early design concepts with the people who would use and champion the space, and to balance their aspirations against an allocated budget.
We held two online sessions with government representatives to explore site opportunities and constraints. That grounded the community conversation in what was achievable. We then facilitated a face-to-face co-design workshop with 11 representatives from local schools, play organisations, community groups and Buru Ngunnawal Aboriginal Corporation. Working directly with the design team, participants tested concepts and weighed what mattered most now against what could come later. Keeping the conversation practical helped the design stay within budget.
Participants wanted a space built around inclusivity, play-based learning and storytelling that reflects both Indigenous and non-Indigenous culture. Nature play, water play and climbing were top priorities, along with multi-use courts. They also raised practical needs, from toilets and baby change to clustering facilities so the green space stays open.
The themes aligned closely with the original community input, confirming the earlier priorities were robust. Our listening reports gave the design team six key aspirations and a clear set of community priorities to inform the evolving design. The Inner North Play Space opened in August 2025. Many workshop priorities are visible in the finished space, including multi-use courts, toilets with baby change, an open grassed area and power for community events.
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