Playground design on show at Ellerslie

23 February 2010

Playground design on show at Ellerslie

Parents with young children who visit next month's Ellerslie International Flower Show can be assured there will be plenty to keep their energetic offspring entertained.

A 20m x 15m playground with a difference will feature as part of the Show’s Picnic and Play area, to be designed by the Christchurch City Council and constructed by City Care.

Christchurch City Council spokesperson Ross Herrett says the playground will provide entertainment for young Show visitors while demonstrating what the Council is achieving in parks and playgrounds across the city.

“We’re really thrilled to be a part of this year’s Ellerslie International Flower Show as it allows us to contribute something new while highlighting to people just what goes into planning, designing and building a playground,” Mr Herrett says.

“There is often a perception that playgrounds are simply ‘plonked’ into parks without much thought for either the surroundings or their specific purpose. However, there is certainly much more to playground design than people may think; it’s not just about what looks good.

“We look at each park to determine what is unique to the area in terms of its immediate environment and attempt to reflect that in the playground design. Every park has its own character or personality, which is why it’s important to take the natural environment into account.”

Mr Herrett says playground design also takes into account what encourages good social behaviour among children as well as child development.

“Research into child development has indicated that playgrounds are a great place for developing fine motor skills, being creative, developing social and communication skills, helping to develop the body physically and emotionally, and encouraging imaginary play.

“We have an experienced team of landscape designers who work hard to deliver all of these important aspects while still meeting the requirements of the playground safety standards.

 
“For example, in St Albans where there is a strong connection with one of the local waterways, we worked with the landscape architect to design a play space that reflects the shape of an eel as well as including rocks painted like eggs to look like a Pukeko’s nest. This helped to create a point of interest without being in stark contrast to the natural environment.”

Mr Herrett says the Ellerslie playground will have as its centrepiece a three-metre high sculptured climbing structure that has a modern urban look while still being a functional play element.

 
“The design will also incorporate plant material we’re currently using in many of our Council parks. And in keeping with Ellerslie’s sustainability theme, all of the material used in the playground will be re-used in a city park in the coming months as part of the Council’s parks and playgrounds renewal programme.”

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The Christchurch City Council is responsible for more than 1000 parks and more than 350 playgrounds across the city which since 1999 have been maintained by City Care.

City Care’s Divisional Manager – Parks Craig Taylor says it is rewarding to be involved with helping the City Council create this exhibit for Ellerslie. “It allows us to showcase to the thousands of Show visitors the high quality design and construction work which goes into creating playgrounds within the city to meet the individual needs of each community.”

Ellerslie International Flower Show is New Zealand’s premier week-long Garden Party in Christchurch’s North Hagley Park from 10 to 14 March 2010. The Show celebrates Christchurch’s Garden City heritage and the best of national and international garden design. Check out the website for further information www.ellerslieflowershow.co.nz

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