Braybrook’s new million-dollar aeroplane-themed playground is no longer pie in the sky, leaving its first visitors entirely over the moon.
The new playground, launched on Saturday, includes a giant steel aeroplane with swings beneath the wings, seesaws at the tail, a tall ‘traffic control’ structure with slides and a double flying fox.
Located alongside the Braybrook Community Hub, it replaces a beloved wooden Aeroplane Park that was destroyed by arson in December 2015.
It was designed by BiGfiSh, which designed the original wooden aeroplane structure as well as creating Mimi the Muttaburrasaurus at Cruikshank Park in Yarraville.
Maribyrnong Council contributed more than $830,000 to the project, funded by an insurance pay-out following the arson, while the state government chipped in $205,000.
The rebuilt park also includes exercise equipment, open lawn areas, a scooter and trike track, an upgraded community garden and a picnic area.
Mayor Catherine Cumming said the new playground retained the flight theme of the original playground and offers a variety of play experiences and challenges for all ages.
“The sudden loss of the former Aeroplane Park just days before Christmas was truly
devastating for the whole community,” she said.
“Over the last couple of years we’ve been liaising with the local community, fundraising and working hard with local designers on plans to rebuild the playground.
“From the very beginning we set out to design a unique and iconic play structure to mark Braybrook which honoured the theme of flight in memory of the former playground.”
