JJ Kelly Park
Nestled between the escarpment and the coastline, JJ Kelly Park in Wollongong has been transformed into a vibrant new play destination. This upgrade, a collaboration between the City of Wollongong and Moduplay, has turned the site into a welcoming, engaging space that encourages active outdoor play while standing up to the challenges of its coastal environment.
Project Overview
- Project Type
- Council & Government
- Budget (Equipment Only)
- $50,000 – $70,000
The City of Wollongong, in partnership with Moduplay, created a considered design to ensure the playground caters to a wide range of ages and abilities. The park also features gated off access, giving parents flexibility and peace of mind. It truly highlights how vital the community is in creating spaces that draw people together and encourage outdoor play.
JJ Kelly Park wasn’t just another project, it was an opportunity to take a much-loved community space and give it a new lease on life. The original site featured a small, ageing play area that no longer met the needs of local families. The new playground introduces a modern, inclusive design that reflects how far playground design and technology have come, while remaining sensitive to the character of the site.
At the heart of the playground is a colourful Ranger Connect unit—compact, but packed with play potential. Featuring a twisting tunnel slide, an open climbing wall, and an integrated geo climber, it offers active and imaginative play opportunities for a wide range of ages and abilities.
The playground is supported by:
What also goes into this considered design is the careful placement of each piece of equipment. The playground has a natural flow, one that children intuitively follow. Creating unspoken pathways that only reveal themselves when you pause and see the space from a child’s perspective. It’s just one example of how our Project Designers think differently, always with fun, movement, and imagination in mind. All designed to encourage movement, social interaction, and challenge, regardless of ability.
Built for Coastal Resilience
With JJ Kelly Park’s proximity to the ocean, durability was a key focus from the very beginning. Coastal environments bring unique challenges, salt spray, humidity, and high winds can quickly take a toll on outdoor structures. That’s why this playground features Moduplay’s Extreme Marine Protection Package, an advanced solution that ensures longevity and performance in the harshest coastal conditions.
This system includes:
- Marine-grade aluminium or stainless steel structural elements
- Stainless steel hardware and fasteners
- Advanced coating systems for superior corrosion resistance
Every detail is designed to protect the playground from the elements, ensuring it remains safe, beautiful, and functional for years to come.
Overcoming Challenges, Delivering for the Community
No project comes without its challenges, and JJ Kelly Park was no exception. Despite prior service checks, unexpected underground services, including hidden cabling were discovered during construction. This required close collaboration and agile problem-solving from the Moduplay construction team. Through ongoing communication with Wollongong City Council, the issue was swiftly resolved, allowing the project to stay on track.
Through careful management and teamwork, the project came together smoothly, culminating in the delivery of a space that’s already becoming a community favourite. Local feedback has been overwhelmingly positive, with families celebrating the new design and the added peace of mind provided by the park’s gated layout.
A Playground with Purpose
JJ Kelly Park isn’t just a playground, it’s a symbol of the City of Wollongong’s ongoing commitment to community wellbeing, and another chapter in Moduplay’s story of continuous innovation and partnership.
This space reflects what matters most to us:
- Inclusivity: A playground where all children can play together
- Durability: Built to withstand the unique coastal conditions of Wollongong
- Local Impact: Designed and made right here in Australia, supporting local jobs and manufacturing
- Community Connection: A space that brings people together in the heart of the city
From the first design meeting to the final installation, this was a project we were proud to be part of.
