Gracetown Community Brings New Playground to Life
Gracetown locals came together with representatives from the Shire of Augusta Margaret River over the weekend to officially open the shire’s newest nature playground.
Located beside the Gracetown Hall, the $100,000 playground has been thoughtfully designed to complement the natural landscape and reflect cultural stories of the Cowaramup Bay.
The community-led project was driven by residents from the Gracetown Cowaramup Bay Community Association who collaborated with Josh Whiteland of Koomal Dreaming and Nature Based Play to develop playground concepts.
The Gracetown Cowaramup Bay Community raised approximately $75,000 for the playground’s construction on Shire-managed land, with the Shire of Augusta Margaret River contributing $20,000 of municipal funds supplemented by Australian Local Roads and Community Infrastructure (LRCI) grant funding. The Shire of Augusta Margaret River has also committed to undertake ongoing maintenance of the playground.
Shire President Julia Meldrum praised the dedicated efforts of the Gracetown community in bringing the project to life.
“Creating a playground in Gracetown was identified as a priority during our Public Open Space and Leisure Plan consultation a few years ago,” she said. “We’re delighted to support the community’s vision and see the creation of a space which celebrates the Bay’s cultural heritage and connects children to nature.”
“Our community is truly indebted to these selfless individuals who have worked so hard to create such a unique space that will be enjoyed by generations to come.”
Project champion, Alex Martin said it was a privilege to work alongside Josh Whiteland to design the playground.
“Josh met with us on site and shared stories about how the Bay was used by Wadandi people for camping, fishing, and whale watching,” Alex said.
“These stories have been woven into the playground — from the giant humpback whale climbing structure, to four kangaroo bone spears for kids to scale, to shells embedded in the limestone path and canal features made from granite and limestone, representing traditional Wadandi fishing practices.”
The Gracetown nature playground is one of several new or upgraded play spaces to be partially or fully funded by the Shire in 2024–25.
“In response to the needs of our growing community, we’ve been investing in projects right across the shire — delivering the infrastructure and facilities our residents have told us matter most,” said Shire President Julia Meldrum.
“We’ve been rolling out new or upgraded playgrounds in nearly every town to create safe, welcoming spaces for our kids to play and communities to connect.”
Upgrades are also underway in Cowaramup, Witchcliffe, and Firestone Park in Augusta, following last year’s improvements to the playgrounds at Turner’s Foreshore in Augusta and Parkwater. Hardcourts at Alexandra Bridge and Witchcliffe are also being upgraded."