The playground was made possible by the Newcastle Permanent Charitable Foundation, which provided $73,000 in funding after the aging, pre-existing area failed to meet current safety standards.

Charitable Foundation chairman Michael Slater said children up to the age of six with a disability or delayed development would use the playground.

“All children benefit both physically and psychologically from play-based activities, special needs children even more so,” he said.

“This new purpose-built playground will allow young children to develop the skills of reaching, grasping, climbing, jumping, communicating and problem solving during daily play.

“The Hunter Prelude Early Intervention Centre is used by over 60 special needs children each year, and with no other safe and appropriate playground for children with disabilities in the area, it was imperative that the centre’s playground was replaced.”

Hunter Prelude Early Intervention Centre director Rani Dibley said the new special needs playground will be used by children involved in their individual and group programs.

“Our programs are designed to increase children’s functional participation within their everyday environments,” she said. 

“The charitable foundation funding of the new playground has allowed us to include play as part of these programs.

“The tactile panel promotes manipulation and coordination, the clock and abacus panel provides play as well as educational opportunities and the slides and swings promote balance and coordination. 

“We would once again like to thank Newcastle Permanent Charitable Foundation for their continued support to improve the lives of our young children.”

In 2007 the Charitable Foundation also provided $20,000 funding for the refurbishment of Hunter Prelude Early Intervention Centre’s Multi-Sensory Room. 

Local charity and not-for-profit organisations are invited to apply for grants. For more information, go to www.newcastlepermanent.com.au, phone 13 19 87, or visit a Newcastle Permanent branch.