Howard Springs Nature Reserve is rich in WWII history and a popular Darwin attraction for visiting tourists. However, the Northern Territory Government and the Howard Springs Nature Park community management group saw the potential to improve the facilities and provide a park that would cater for the rural community of Darwin.

The result is a nature-based play experience set amongst the existing picnic grounds that minimises the use of ‘off the shelf’ play equipment, and utilises natural materials and soft landscaping to create an adventure trail of linked play spaces that encourages imagination and discovery. The design and theming of the play zones was inspired by the flora, fauna and geology of the natural spring that feeds the large pool built by soldiers during WWII.