Zach found the bark laid in the playground stopped him being able to use it.
A seven-year-old who took on a Queensland council after an $800,000 park makeover to improve accessibility made it impossible for him to play there has won.
The Moreton Bay Region Council has committed $100,000 to make the Bribie Island park wheelchair friendly, after the ABC reported on Zach Dove London’s appeal.
“That is next level,” Zach, who uses a wheelchair, said.
“I mean, they could have done it a little bit earlier, but any change is fine.”
Zach played at Brennan Park regularly until the council lay down bark and wood chips.
It had just undergone a $835,128 makeover to make it more accessible — but it had the opposite effect for Zach.
“I was completely stuck,” he said.
So he wrote to local politicians.
At first, his request for a truly accessible playground was dismissed, with the council responding: “Sometimes site challenges mean the designers cannot make a truly all-abilities play space.”
The letter also suggested Zach’s family visit there are two local “all-abilities” playgrounds instead – a 45-minute drive away.
‘My voice mattered’
The upgrades the council has now committed to include a new soft-fall surface for people in wheelchairs and prams to move around the playground area easily as well as an accessible carousel.
Mayor Peter Flannery said the council had made progress but was still learning how to get accessibility right.
“All he [Zach] wanted was to get to the swings, and this simple request had a profound impact on me because accessibility is not a niche issue.”
Zach’s mum, Jessica Dove London said they never expected one letter to go so far.
“I think the mayor has seriously responded to this, I think beyond tokenism,” she said.
“The fact that they have addressed this in the budget immediately shows their commitment.”
She said Zach’s school had also heard about his letter, and the principal shared how proud they were of his advocacy at an assembly.
“So happy that [the school] thought my voice mattered,” Zach said.
Cr Flannery said the council’s goal is to give everyone full and equal access to infrastructure, services, and opportunities.
But he did not say why the council’s initial response to Zach’s letter suggested he play elsewhere.
‘Zach’s Principle’
Along with the playground upgrades, the council had developed a new policy for accessibility on all council projects.
“This policy will be named Zach’s Principle in recognition of the little boy who used his voice for good,” Cr Flannery said.
Zach said he was honoured the council had named a principle after him.
“I’m shocked they took it that far,” he said.
“Of all the parks we have gone to, they are very inaccessible. Almost all of them just have the wrong flooring,” she said.
“Even with some simple retrofitting, you can at least ensure basic access.”
When asked if he would write any more letters in the future, Zach said, “yeah, maybe”.
But he said he was excited to return to the playground again.
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