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We’re refreshing the playground at Fordham Gardens because of the age and condition of the play equipment and timber posts. 

The new playground will create a safer, modern space that can be enjoyed by the community now and into the future. 

Status

Construction of the new playground is planned to start in early September 2026, weather permitting, and be completed by early 2027.

How construction may impact you

  • Construction work will happen on weekdays between 7 am and 3 pm (excluding public holidays). We may need to work some Saturdays.
  • The playground area will be closed and fenced off.
  • Pedestrian access to walking routes near the playground will be closed as required, with detours in place.
  • Builder vehicles will occupy some parking spaces along the Tyrone Street adjacent to the park.

Toilet construction

We’re also installing a public toilet in the gardens, near Camberwell Road.

Construction is underway and these works are expected to finish in December 2026, weather permitting.

For more information about the toilet construction and impacts, visit Fordham public toilet.

Nearby playgrounds  

While the new playground is under construction, we encourage families to visit these nearby playgrounds: 

Hartwell Station Reserve Playground

  • Location: Fordham Avenue, Camberwell
    Distance: 3-minute walk or 1-minute drive (200 m away)

Willison Park Playground

•    Location: 10 Culliton Road, Camberwell
•    Distance: 8-minute walk or 2-minute drive (700 m away)

Key features 

Old playground equipment will be replaced with 

  • a play unit with climbing elements and 2 slides
  • a swing set with a high-back swing and flat swing
  • a 4-person rocker.

We’re also adding:

  • sensory play, including a rain wheel and frog sculpture with pebble inlay
  • nature play elements, including logs, balancing features and natural textures.

The new playground design encourages children to explore and engage with nature while blending naturally into the park. The design is inspired by the nearby pond and the park’s biggest tree, the Narrow-Leaved Peppermint. It features earthy colours, natural textures and animal sculptures. 

Fordham Gardens is classified as a local playground. This classification guides the budget, design focus and scope of upgrades. Read more about playground categories. 

Refreshed playground features

Artist sketch of main timber play unit
Junior play unit
Artist sketch of a swing set with a toddler swing and a child swing
Artist sketch of a playground rocker
A climbable sculpture of a frog at a playground, for sensory play
a water play feature at a playground
Concrete stepping pads rise out of tan bark at a playground
Timber beams balance on rocks as part of a nature play zone at a playground
Two timber playground play units with enclosed slide and ladder
Senior play unit
Sensory play unit at a playground with a tactile dragonfly sculpture
Small discovery sculpture of a dragonfly
Large sculpture of a blue-tonged lizard sensory feature at a playground
Small discovery sculpture of a blue-tongued lizard
Tactile, glossy frog sculpture on a large rock
Small discovery sculpture of a frog

What’s staying the same 

To protect the roots of 5 large trees that surround the playground and provide natural shade, and to preserve access to major stormwater pipes that run below the playground, the upgraded playground must stay in its current location and remain a similar size. Similarly, only new equipment that fits the existing space and site conditions can be installed.