The Accessible Outdoors Program - inclusive recreational opportunities at parks, forests and reservoirs
Community Based Initiative of the Year Award
SA/NT
SA Water
The Accessible Outdoors Program provides activities that promote and enable a deeper connection to nature for people with disability in our national parks, reservoir reserves, and forest reserves.
Campbelltown City Council
City of Tea Tree Gully
The Reconciliation Walk is a unique reconciliation experience along the River Torrens / Karrawirra Parri, linking Kaurna Country with the Cities of Tea Tree Gully and Campbelltown. This 1.2km trail encourages the community and visitors to walk on Country while engaging with local Kaurna Elders via video, where cultural knowledge is shared. By blending storytelling with technology, the trail promotes cultural tourism and strengthens local connections to Aboriginal heritage. Co-designed with Kaurna Elders and developed by two Councils, it exemplifies authentic and respectful collaboration.
South Australian Cricket Association
The SACA Places to Play funding program identifies school and council ovals on which cricket is not currently being played, then fully funds the installation of a cricket pitch on the proviso that a local community cricket club can play junior cricket on the pitch during the evening or on a weekend. This then offers the local community and school students access to a hard wicket. We have spent $1.4 million on the program to date and have developed countless positive relationships between schools, councils and local community cricket clubs.
City of Charles Sturt
Spad Street Reserve, Albert Park integrates inclusive play, nature-based recreation, and sustainability, addressing a local shortage of accessible open space. The play space features wheelchair-friendly equipment, sensory play, communication boards, and a custom sculptural play piece. A nature trail and climate-resilient landscaping enhance biodiversity. Extensive community consultation shaped the reserve, fostering ownership and social connection. Spad Street Reserve sets a benchmark for future public open space developments through strategic planning, innovative design and sustainability.
City of Marion
Beyond Sight is a youth-led, first-of-its-kind event in the City of Marion, designed to raise awareness and foster inclusion for individuals with visual impairments. Led by the Marion Youth Collective Committee (YCC)—a diverse group of young leaders passionate about social change—this initiative was delivered in partnership with the SA Aquatic & Leisure Centre, Guide Dogs SA, and local businesses, creating a transformative, hands-on experience. Held in October 2024 at the SA Aquatic & Leisure Centre, Beyond Sight featured immersive activities such as: 🔹 Dining in the Dark – Over 100 particip
Botanic Garden and State Herbarium (of South Australia)
Already a popular destination for tourists and locals alike, Adelaide’s lush botanic garden was elevated to a world-class art hub with the installation of magnificent glass sculptures by Dale Chihuly, one of the world’s most celebrated contemporary artists. From September 2024 – April 2025, Chihuly in the Botanic Garden transformed the green oasis into a free-to-experience outdoor art gallery with vibrant, towering glass artworks strategically placed throughout the Garden. Over one million people from across Australia and the globe visited the exhibition with friends and family to see the art
Campbelltown City Council
Playford Road Reserve in Newton provides a wide range of play-based opportunities for individuals of all ages and abilities. In 2024 the site was transformed from being a site with six unused tennis courts and a vacant clubroom building, to becoming an activated park with a large playground, tennis court, multi-sport court, grass kick-about area, picnic and BBQ facilities and accessible toilet and pathways, ensuring it is welcoming to everybody and serves the recreational, physical activity and social needs of the local community while promoting sustainable, inclusive design.
Campbelltown City Council
Playford Road Reserve in Newton provides a wide range of recreational opportunities for individuals of all ages and abilities. In 2024 the site was redeveloped from being a site with six unused tennis courts to become a park with a large playground, one tennis court, one multi-sport court, a grass kick-about area, picnic and BBQ facilities and accessible toilet and pathways, ensuring it is welcoming to everybody and serves the physical activity, recreation and social needs of the local community while promoting sustainable, inclusive design.
SPORTENG
The upgrade of the Mile End SA Athletics Stadium enhances the State's sporting infrastructure, delivering world-class facilities for both elite and grassroots athletes. The project includes new FIVB-standard beach volleyball courts, upgraded athletics warm-up tracks, and redeveloped throwing event areas. Led by SPORTENG, this transformation integrates modern design, sustainability, and accessibility to create a high-performance venue that strengthens the region's sporting landscape.
Kinetica
South Australian Cricket Association
Aura is a game changer for sport, recreation, and wellbeing planning and decision-making, delivering powerful localized data intelligence designed specifically for planners and decision-makers. It gives you the resources to make informed and timely decisions with confidence, empowering Government, Community, and Sports organizations to grow and helping governments achieve better outcomes in sport and recreation. By providing an in-depth understanding of communities, Aura supports the development of sustainable strategies that drive lasting impact.