We are expanding the playground area within Cooper Street Reserve for your continued enjoyment.  Get ready for a new flying fox and inclusive we-go-swing.

1148 Old Princes Highway, Engadine, NSW, 2233

Project timeline

Project start:  JUN 2026

Expected completion:  OCT 2026

Project background

Cooper Street Reserve is a District level recreational space and was recently upgraded in June 2024 with a new Active Youth Precinct and an exciting All-abilities Playground with an accessible tree-tops walk.

We are extending the All-abilities playground to provide an even more connected, inclusive and unique open space for our community.  It will include additional accessible play equipment, with low intensity play opportunities, additional inclusive signage, and accessible park furniture.  This will complete the overall design of the All-abilities Playground.

Consultation with our community

We consulted with the community in August 2025 on the Concept design and the consolidation of Naranga Avenue Reserve playground equipment.  We included a project update in January 2026, and you can find this or, view the consultation results here.

We reviewed your feedback and made some changes to the design for the playground at Cooper Street to ensure this space is well connected and inclusive.

View the updated Concept Plan here.

The consolidation of Naranga Avenue Reserve has been approved by Council, and will be returned to open space when the work on this stage of Cooper Street Reserve All-abilities playground is complete.

Project scope

The work includes:

  • A wheelchair accessible swing
  • Flying fox with harness seat
  • Combination of synthetic grass and rubber in the main play areas
  • Low intensity play area with sensory elements
  • Additional inclusive signage
  • New accessible park furniture and footpaths
  • New garden beds and landscape planting.

Project schedule

Consultation - August to September 2025 (completed)

Design – June 2024 to January 2025  (completed)

Procurement – January to May 2026  (completed)

Manufacture & supply of specialised play equipment – September 2025 to May 2026 (ongoing)

Site Establishment – June 2026

Demolition and reconstruction – June to October 2026 (weather permitting)

Practical Completion - end October 2026  (weather permitting)

Turf and Plant Maintenance – November 2026 to April 2027

Impacts during construction

The project areas will be fenced and closed to the public during construction.  The remainder of Cooper Street Reserve and its facilities, including the public toilets and pathways will remain open during construction.

There will be some disruption whilst we establish connections and integration between the existing playground and the new play area.

There may be increased construction traffic during deliveries.  A work zone will be in place during construction and pedestrian traffic may be diverted during deliveries.

Thank you for your patience while we deliver this work.  We hope to have this exciting new playground ready for you shortly.

Funding

This project is proudly funded by Cleanaway Voluntary Planning Agreement contribution funds and Sutherland Shire Council.

Cleanaway Logo

Frequently Asked Questions

The youth precinct will not be affected by the works.

The existing playground will remain open throughout construction however, small sections may be temporarily fenced off to safely connect the new works with the current facilities.

Stage 1 of the Cooper Street All-Abilities Playground was completed in June 2024, providing inclusive play opportunities for people of all abilities and ages.

With the Stage 2 upgrade, we will:

  • Install new swing equipment suitable for direct wheelchair access
  • Increase the diversity of play experiences with an inclusive flying fox
  • Add a quiet/sensory area for people who benefit from low‑stimulus spaces

This completes the overall design vision described in the Cooper Street Reserve Masterplan.

A tree assessment was completed as part of the planning process. Based on the findings:

  • 2 trees will need to be removed
  • Some existing trees will require maintenance trimming
  • We will plant 18 new trees within the play area to enhance shade and amenity

At Council we only remove trees when needed, as keeping a ‘green’ Sutherland Shire is important to us and our community.

Our Urban Tree & Bushland Policy requires that we undertake offset planting, as part of any project where trees need to be removed.

Yes.  The temporary public toilets near Cooper Street will remain open throughout the construction of our new playground features.  These facilities include both ambulant and accessible cubicles.

Yes. The existing amenities building is being replaced with a fully accessible facility featuring:

  • 3 ambulant cubicles
  • 1 accessible cubicle with a baby change table
  • A certified Changing Places facility

More information is available on our project webpage.

The playground area will be naturally contained by a combination of:

  • A low feature sandstone wall
  • Seating
  • Tree planting

Additionally, the Cooper Street Reserve perimeter fence will be extended a short distance to the south to improve enclosure and safety.

Yes.  Shade for the upgraded playground will be provided through a combination of:

  • Tree canopy from existing and newly planted trees
  • New umbrella-style shade structures positioned over selected seating areas

The outdated swing will be removed once the Cooper Street Reserve All‑Abilities Playground is completed.  The area will remain as open space parkland for other activities such as dog walking and exercise.

Council is working with the NSW Government to relocate community service bus parking from the southern car park.  Once completed, up to 17 parking spaces may be returned for community use.

We will keep the community updated as this progresses.