Wadanggari Park Playground Temporarily Closed
Published on 10 July 2026
10 July 2026
Wadanggari Park Playground Update: Temporary Full Closure
Following our June update on vandalism at Wadanggari Park, Council regrets to advise that the entire playground structure has now been temporarily closed.
Despite efforts to keep the playground open by fencing off only the fire-damaged sections, the equipment has continued to be targeted, and it was not possible to safely isolate the affected areas. To protect community safety and prevent further damage, the whole structure has now been cordoned off. This decision was not made lightly, and we understand it will be disappointing for local families.
New signage
Signage has been installed on the fencing around the play structure. If you have any information about the incidents, please contact:
- Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000 or nsw.crimestoppers.com.au
- Chatswood Police on (02) 9414 8433
- 000 in an emergency
The signage also includes a QR code linking to Council's website for the latest information on the closure.
Working with Police and designers on a solution
Council recently met on site with the North Shore Police Area Command to discuss the ongoing issues and coordinate our response. We are also seeking safety-by-design advice from NSW Police, and any recommendations will inform the permanent solution.
As flagged in June, Council is progressing design options to open up the enclosed sections of the structure, and we are now also in discussions with the company that manufactured and installed the equipment about potential modifications.
Council has reduced the height of vegetation near the playground to further improve visibility across the park.
Reopening is a priority
We know how much this playground means to the community, and finalising a permanent design solution is a priority. We're working to reopen the space as soon as it is safe to do so, and will continue to keep the community updated.
2 June 2026
Council is responding to an escalating pattern of vandalism at Wadanggari Playground. The latest incidents have damaged the yellow enclosed section of the play structure, and we have cordoned off the affected area while repairs are arranged.
This is not an isolated incident. We have seen increasing instances of vandalism at this site, and Council is investigating how best to address the problem.
Council has CCTV coverage and lighting installed at Wadanggari Park. However, our investigation into recent incidents has identified that the enclosed design of this part of the play structure creates a surveillance blind spot - an area where passive oversight is limited. We are currently exploring options to remove some of the opaque walling to improve visibility and help deter future vandalism.
These design modifications form part of a broader commitment to making our public spaces less vulnerable to opportunistic damage. We are also maintaining close liaison with local authorities to identify patterns and prevent future incidents.
Repairs to the play structure will commence once we have finalised our investigations, and we will provide a further update once the scope and timeline for design modifications have been confirmed. While Council is committed to keeping our public spaces safe, vandalism is by nature opportunistic and difficult to prevent entirely. We are taking all reasonable steps to deter future incidents.
If you witness vandalism occurring anywhere in your local area, please call 000 to alert the Police.
21 November 2025
Wadanggari Park Play Structure to reopen
Works to repair the Wadanggari Park playground are almost complete and we’re excited to welcome the community back to the playspace from Tuesday 25 November.
In addition to redesigning and replacing the balustrades which had been repeatedly vandalised, Council took the opportunity to undertake other rectification, and improvement works which we hope to enhance everyone’s experience at the park.
The new balustrade is made from powder coated, durable stainless steel that picks up on the colours and patterns found elsewhere in the park. The design aims to increase visibility for parents supervising children and add some striking colours for some fun and to help with wayfinding. New rubber softfall has been laid in some areas as well as some alterations to walls and steel elements.
We’d like to thank the community for their patience while these works were completed. With the improved design and durability of the equipment, along with ongoing surveillance and support from NSW Police, we hope to reduce vandalism and keep this much-loved playspace in great condition for everyone to enjoy.
5 September 2025
Following repeated acts of vandalism, Council has temporarily closed the play structure at Wadanggari Park to ensure community safety. We are working closely with local police to identify those responsible.
To prevent future damage, Council has engaged a contractor to design and install a stronger, custom-made balustrade to replace the section that was repeatedly vandalised. As this material must be manufactured specifically for the unique play structure, and the process takes some time. We anticipate reopening the play area in November 2025.
We apologise for the inconvenience and thank you for your patience and understanding. We look forward to welcoming the community back to a safer and more resilient play space soon.