Whitlam’s first playground, officially opened today, will be known as Blue Poles Park.

The name commemorates Jackson Pollock’s Blue Poles artwork, which the National Gallery of Australia controversially bought in 1973 for $1.3 million – then a world record for a contemporary American painting. Prime Minister Gough Whitlam approved the purchase.

“It’s fantastic to see a momentous artwork now come to life in a play setting, just ahead of the 50-year anniversary of its purchase by Australia,” Yvette Berry, ACT Minister for Housing and Suburban Development, said.

“Children and families will have the opportunity to enjoy the new park – another great outdoor area for Canberra to stay active.”

The playground, on Keith Bain Crest, features several sustainable features:

•           The waterplay area will reuse the water – by funnelling it into the root zones of trees within the playground

•           9,000 native shrubs and grasses

•           350 native trees

•           The natural rock boulders were retrieved from other Whitlam sites during earthworks

Fifty households live in Whitlam. As the suburb grows, it will eventually be home to around 2,100 families, Ms Berry said.

“The Blue Poles park will be a place for play and adventure for many years to come.”