Plan will help kids get back to nature

Bringing community education outdoors and allowing children to play in a natural environment are the goals of Milligan Community Learning Centre’s latest plans, according to chief executive officer Renae Bebbington.

The centre received almost $24,000 in the latest round of the State Government’s Community Chest Funding which will be used for a nature playground.

Ms Bebbington said the design and project management stage was already under way and the centre was keen to start construction in the next few months.

“We want children to explore and engage outdoors and learn their own limitations and risks,” she said.

“The playground will be for 12 and under and the area will potentially be used for gardening groups and tai chi.”

Milligan for kids coordinator Elizabeth Huxtable said she had researched a number of different playgrounds where nature playgrounds had been implemented.

“We want to use this playground as a preventative measure to make sure children have a healthy mental and physical life ahead,” she said.

“It is about getting the kids off the screens and outdoors to use the natural environment to explore.”

Bunbury MLA John Castrilli said the playground would allow children to explore for themselves and learn from their mistakes.