Rio Tinto Naturescape Kings Park has reopened to the public following the completion of a major $3 million upgrade of one of the world’s leading nature conservation spaces located in the heart of Perth.
The new features include two large aerial walkways called ‘The Python’ and ‘The Bungarra’, which stretch 7 metres high and 40 metres long. A new waterhole for wading, a new cubby-building area and a web of climbing ropes called ‘The Tangle’ have also been added.
Rio Tinto has been the foundation partner for Naturescape since inception in 2008 and by 2020 will have contributed almost $9 million to the project. The stage two development was designed in consultation with visitors, schools as well as experts in childhood development and the community.
The facility was one of the first in the world to embrace the value of nature play and has paved the way for changing attitudes to designing spaces for children and the value of connecting children with nature.
Rio Tinto Iron Ore vice president Health, Safety and Environment Zara Fisher said “Our partnership with Kings Park and the development of this incredible naturescape is driven by our goal of delivering lasting benefits to the people of Western Australia.
“The Rio Tinto Naturescape is all about connecting children with nature to help them learn to appreciate Western Australia’s unique environment. We want to give children a hands-on experience and really inspire them to think about how they can contribute to its conservation.”
Outdoor ‘living classrooms’ within the facility provide teaching spaces for around 23,000 WA school students each year to learn about the natural sciences, the WA environment and local Aboriginal culture.
Keep up with all the latest with Kings Park and Botanic Garden on Facebook or at www.bgpa.wa.gov.au
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