Don Moseley Park in Keith is a popular stop for families driving along one of the state's busiest roads, the Dukes Highway, with many young ones having fond memories of riding the train in the playground.
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But Keith War Memorial Community Centre playground redevelopment committee chair Sarah Secker says the more than than 20 year old playground is "past its best".
She says their plan for a new Nature Play space on the same site will benefit the local community and provide travellers with a destination to rest with fatigue a major factor in many crashes.
It will also encourage passers by to spend money in their town.
According to Tatiara District Council data collected from Wifi pings at the site 80 per cent of the people visit the park and playground run by the Keith War Memorial Community Centre are from outside the area. In April alone that was 7500 over 12 years of age.
"SAPOL's recommendation is that you stop for 15 mins every two hours, we are two hours from the Toll Gate so it could be their first stop leaving Adelaide or if they are coming from Melbourne it could be their last stop before hitting the city traffic," she said.
Ms Secker says the design is a nod to the town's rich agricultural production and includes a pivot arm swing and a mound with irrigation pumps which children can manipulate water streams. It will also be one of the only all abilities playgrounds in the area.
"We really believe in the benefits of nature play and it doesn't necessarily suit an agricultural town to have a big steel structure," she said.
In a short period of time the enthusiastic group of volunteers have secured half the money needed but Ms Secker says the project now hinges on a large state or federal government grant.
"Keith War Memorial in commitment to this have put forward the concept plans and $250,000, the Tatiara Council has $80,000 in this year's budget and we have secured a grant from the local Bendigo Bank," she said.
"These things often take a while to get traction but it has council support and development approval so if we can receive government funding this year we expect to be building mid next year."
The Keith War Memorial Community group which was established with war bonds after World War II has a long history of delivering valuable infrastructure to Keith from putting down the first bore for the town's water to establishing the local kindergarten to Don Moseley Park which Ms Secker says is the "jewel in the crown".
"It is about ensuring it remains that really valuable community space for future generations, " she said.
Federal Member for Barker Tony Pasin and Member for Mackillop Nick McBride have thrown their support behind the grant applications - Growing Better Regions and Building Infrastructure- which close in the coming fortnight.
Mr Pasin commended the community members on their desire to ensure children have the necessary facilities to engage in outdoor physical activities.
"Keith's location on the Dukes and Riddoch Highway makes it an ideal location for drivers to take a break in their journey, this project will play a key role in driver safety while also providing important economic stimulus from visitors deciding to take time out in the local community," he said.
Mr McBride said the project would be a "huge boost" for the Keith community.
"Upwards of 3000 vehicles travel the Dukes Highway daily and the park is utilised by many of these travellers and tourists for a perfect place to stop and have a break," he said.
