Wendy Seymour (1964 - 2016)
Landscape Architect - Play Space Design Specialist
About Wendy
"Creative play is like a spring that bubbles up from deep within a child."
Joan Almon (American educator)
Qualifications
Bachelor of Arts (Landscape Architecture) with Honours
Wendy was one of Nature Play Solutions' first employees. Her design concepts have become the foundation for our over-arching philosophy for play space creation.
Our appreciation of Wendy is enduring.
My Professional Background
I am a landscape architect with over 25 years’ experience in public and private practice. I have worked on a range of projects, varying in size and complexity, from initial concept stages through to completed construction. I have been involved in site analysis, conceptual design, community consultation, detail design and planting plans, contract documentation and administration, and liaising with clients, contractors and authorities.
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Key projects I have been involved in include:
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• Woodbridge Riverside Play Space, WA
(Winner Parks and Leisure Australia National Award – Category ‘Playspaces’)
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• Kingfisher Oval, Ballajura – Playspace
(Winner Parks and Leisure Australia State Award – Category ‘Playspaces’)
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• Yagan Memorial Park, WA
(Winner National Awards for Local Government State Award – Category ‘Engaging and Strengthening Indigenous Communities’ and Winner PLA National Award – Category ‘Parks’)
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• Pia’s Playground – Inclusive playspace for Whiteman Park, partnering with the Touched by Olivia Foundation
My Philosophy
I have a passion for play, designing regional scale playspaces, as well as many playspaces for local and district parks, playgroups, community centres, child care and schools that offer creative, imaginative and social play opportunities.
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With a particular interest and experience in designing for access and inclusion, I design play environments for people living with physical disability, sensory, intellectual and cognitive disability, ADHD and autism spectrum disorder.
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I was a part of and presented to the Guiding Committee for a Department of Families, Housing, Community Services and Indigenous Affairs-funded project to develop national Inclusive Play Guidelines during May 2012 in Canberra. The committee developed the Inclusive Play Guidelines website, www.inclusiveplayspace.com.
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I have presented at a number of conferences and participated in interstate and overseas study tours relating to play. My designs allow for play that connect children with nature. My designs provide play in aesthetically pleasing landscape settings using plants and natural materials to provide amenity, loose parts for play and a ‘sense of place’.
Memberships
Play Australia, International Play Association
Association 4 Learning Environments
Parks and Leisure Australia
Australian Institute of Landscape Architects
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