CHILDREN now have more adventure options at the Naracoorte Caves after the Fossil Hunters Playground officially opened this week.
The unique facility encourages children to engage in hands-on exploration with a focus on adventure in nature and also serves as a community meeting point.
Made possible through donations of time, materials and labour, as well as State Government funding, it is a new attraction for children alongside the World Heritage listed caves.
Limestone Ladies Country Women’s Association (CWA) spokesperson Katie Dawkins said the group was pleased with the outcome for the community.
“This has all been achieved through collaboration and funding for the project,” Ms Dawkins said.
“Generating community ownership and building a participation approach was key to its development.
“It was the community’s generosity that allowed the scope of the project to grow and provide a substantial attraction for the region.”
Boandik Elder Aunty Penny Bonney said the importance of Naracoorte’s history as a meeting place was now echoed in the philosophy behind the playground.
“Naracoorte has a history as a meeting place where people and children come together to play, share, respect, accept and learn together,” Aunty Penny said.
The CWA representatives have worked in close quarters with Naracoorte Caves management for two years helping gather support for the project.
Natural Resources South East parks and wildlife services manager Nick McIntyre said the playground highlighted important aspects of the cave environment at Naracoorte.
“From fossils, epikarst, to cave strata, this project supports the existing science themes at the park,” Mr McIntyre said.
“The playground also features interpretation on Aboriginal cultural connection to caves such as the Wonambi rainbow serpant, native plant usage and movement of Aboriginal people in the landscape.
“It provides a great learning space through play for children and will be there for many years to come as well as engage a new range of visitors to the site.”
