Queensland Government
Department of Communities, Child Safety and Disability Services

Landscape architect Ian Bentley

By landscape architect Ian Bentley, designer of the Iluka Park All Abilities Playground, formerly of Mackay Regional Council

Prior to the project, I had limited knowledge of community engagement. The notion of ‘community participation’ was therefore the unknown aspect of the project’s design process for me, but I was really excited about giving it a go.

Disability Services staff did a lot of ground work and helped connect council to local children with a disability and their families in particular. This enabled us to focus on design aspects prior to any meetings or focus group sessions.

The whole process showed me that designing for users should be a real group effort. There can be a lot to take in, but the trick is to absorb all the information, refine ideas and to continue to engage participants.

Sometimes as a professional I think you can become a little bit single-minded – preferring to have an ‘I know what’s best’ attitude. But, after working with community members, you soon discover new things to consider and even better ways of doing things.

The most pivotal learning point for me was acknowledging the importance of observing kids while they play. It seems simple, but plenty of people who design for kids just don’t do it. I’m also more committed to visiting spaces regularly.

I used the project’s User Participation in Design Framework as a planning tool more than anything else. It helped show me how participatory design is done and kept me focused. I also found it to be quite adaptable, so I encourage others to enter the unknown, open their minds and give the participatory approach a go.