We are committed to improving the accessibility of our play spaces for the whole community by having connecting paths to each site. And, excitedly, our playgrounds will include items of sensory play, that incorporate touch and sound.
Playground upgrades and renewals are driven by the condition of the equipment. Sometimes the equipment can look perfectly fine but in reality be close to the end of its life. The inspections we do of the equipment is quite in-depth, so while the equipment may look perfectly fine, underneath the paint and coverings is where the true condition is measured.
Construction will start at Glengavel Playground in June 2023 and is expected to be completed in July. Weather could impact how long the works take.
During construction the playground area will be closed.
There’s a bit to do and we thank you for your patience as this work is carried out.
For any queries phone 04 237 5089 or email parksfeedback@poriruacity.govt.nz
You can view the Concept Design Brief below.
Keep an eye out for updates on our Facebook page.
How did we get here?
In January 2023 you shared with us your thoughts about the proposed concept design. The final design is complete so construction can begin. The construction works are expected to start in June this year, although this is dependent on supply of products and services.
Plans are under way to renew the Glengavel playground on Glengavel Grove in Papakōwhai as the play equipment is coming to the end of its life.
Feedback on the proposed concept design is now closed (22 January 2023).
Keep an eye out for updates on our Facebook page and through your residents' association.
The budget for the upgrade is approximately $100,000 and this includes design and construction works. Construction is expected to happen sometime prior to June 2023, although this is dependent on the supply of products and services.
Work has commenced at Lagden Park to replace the swing that was coming to the end of its life. The new swing is expected to be installed in July, 2023. Weather could impact how long the installation takes.
Just a reminder, there will be no changes made to the tennis/basketball court - the focus is on the grassy area where the swing set was.
We thank you for your patience as this work is carried out.
For any queries phone 04 237 5089 or email parksfeedback@poriruacity.govt.nz
How did we get here?
In late 2022 you played your part and completed the Lagden Park survey; we asked questions about how the space is used, so we can understand more about the needs and wants of your community. You shared what you love about the space, and what you would change. We analysed the information you submitted via the online and paper surveys.
The swing set at Lagden Park on Lagden St is coming to the end of its life so we are making plans to replace it.
Thanks for playing your part and sharing your thoughts with us via the online and paper survey in October 2022. We are taking that information and using our playspace expertise to inform what will happen with the renewal of the space.
As Lagden Park is a much smaller area, we will be scheduling the work and ordering the play equipment very soon. The construction works are expected to be complete before winter (2023), although this is dependent on the supply of products and services. The budget for this renewal including construction is about $40,000.
Just a reminder, there will be no changes made to the tennis/basketball court. The focus is on the grassy area where the swing set currently is.
Keep an eye out for updates on our Facebook page and through your residents' association.
Construction is underway!
The new playspace site works at Whitby Walkway playground have begun and will be done in phases due to product supply. Weather could impact how long the work takes too.
We will do our best to keep parts of the current playground open while the construction is underway.
Thanks for your patience as this work is carried out!
For any queries phone 04 237 5089 or email enquiries@poriruacity.govt.nz
The concept design proposed upgrading the Whitby Walkway playground to a ‘Wildwood Playspace’, which offers an opportunity for a return of free play. Basically, the existing playground explodes out into a wider area and uses existing landform to add play, value and interest.
For lots of reasons we have seen a lessening of free play in the last 15-20 years. Unstructured play with natural or repurposed objects is important for emotional, physical and social development. “Evidence suggests free play develops independence, fosters resilience, teaches children about risk management, fosters creativity and builds confidence.” (Raisingchildren.org.nz). Wildwood Playspace is a site that has a strong sense of place suited to creation of a free play area for tamariki.
The concept design proposes three zones:
The Wildwood Playspace is part of an organic design process. The Concept Design Brief is now closed for feedback.
Click here to view the concept design brief.
The new playspace site works are expected to get underway in March 2023 and be complete before winter sets in. These timeframes are dependent on weather and product supply. We will do our best to keep the current playground open while the construction works are underway. Keep an eye out on our Facebook page for an update closer to the time construction is set to start.
Thank you for sharing your thoughts about the concept design. The final design is being made ready so construction can begin. The construction works are expected to start in summer of 2023 although this is dependent on supply of products and services.
In late 2021 you shared with us how and when you use the Whitby Walkway Playground (also known as Spinny Park and Solander Park), what you love about the space and what you would change. As a result of this information being gathered, combined with our playspace expertise, the draft concept design is now available for you to share your feedback on.
The playground equipment at Whitby Walkway Playground has reached the end of its life and needs replacing.
Aspects like what age range the playground should try to cater for and what activities tamariki would like to see incorporated are being investigated as part of the upgrade.
The budget for the renewal is $130,000 and includes the design and construction work. Overall, the upgrade will not be extensive and there is limited scope to increase the size of the playground's area. All of the equipment within the park will be replaced, including the rubbish bin and seating. The large green space that the playground shares will remain largely untouched.
A survey asked questions about how the space is used so we can understand more about how it interacts with the community - it closed on 12 December, 2021.
In your feedback it was clear that swings, slides and climbing activities are important to you. These activities will be provided through a combination of traditional play equipment and informal nature play activities, including a bespoke timber playfort!
One of the key messages we received was the emotional attachment to the spinny wheel. Unfortunately this will not be part of the upgrade, as these wheels have proven to be unsafe.
There was demand expressed for playground shade in summer, and this message was reinforced by feedback from the NZ Cancer Society. Additional seating was also a strong theme, which is aimed to be met through informal seating set overlooking the spaces, along with some picnic tables.