It was clear from community consultation that we could do more than just picking some items out of a catalogue and adding a rectangle of play surface below. The community wanted an inclusive space where children, adults, and supervisors could play together without the stigma of specialized equipment or be limited by their size, age or ability. Apart from the mouse wheel, there wasn't much of a play offering to the older kids, and even adults were limited to what they could play on with their kids due to their size. There was also an opportunity to be inspired by stories of the area and share the local culture, histories, and connections to the sea, a place where imaginative play and storytelling could be prompted.

Playground equipment current at Caroline Bay Playground, some will be re-used or re-purposed. (Note the paddling poo, courts areas were not included in the CPlay project. The bike skills park area was a project championed by the Timaru Suburban Lions. Photo's By Roselyn Fauth

 

 

The old accessible swing, which was inside a fence - Photo Roselyn Fauth 

 

CATERING FOR ALL AGES

• Under 5s. Themed mahinga kai area with mounded ground creating climbing, sliding, rolling elements. Natural textured features, musical elements, rockers/spinners
• 6-10 years. Let’s face it these guys can play on everything and will have the time of their lives across all of our play space
• 10-15 years. Areas, longest flying fox, doubled up for racing. Boat and lighthouse. Challenging ninja/obstacle course elements for competition. Jump touch to test athleticism, large rope snake swings to pile on with friends and get going fast.
• Adults. You will be tempted to give some play stuff a go. Sheltered and shaded tables for families or larger groups, seating throughout, history and heritage elements, storyboards and imagery to pique the interest, and the kids will be well and truly entertained allowing you to have breather. Once you peel yourselves off the trampoline, finish reclaiming your youth on the slide and stop racing the grandkids down the flying fox we promise there will be plenty of other elements to keep you happy and comfortable. The playground will be full of seating, with shade and shelter considered. There will be a large sheltered eating area with a significant number of tables suitable for the family or a larger gathering. 

 

AAC Communication Sign by Talk Link was installed, the design includes Te Reo in our local Kai Tahu dialect. The sign is an aid for those who are non verbal so they can communicate visually. The sign also raises the awarenss in the wider community that people can communicate in different ways.  - Photo Roselyn Fauth

 

Talker Tubes were included so people can communicate from ground level to other areas that may not be able to access. 

 

We added playpanels to the inside of the ship so people had a quite shadey space to playtogether, these are also an ideal height for people who use wheel chairs or have limited mobility. - Photo Roselyn Fauth

 

Slide was added to the mound, so people who had limited mobility, could access the top via a ramp. We added a wee seat at the bottom for a person to wait while a caregiver came down the mound to help them perhaps get into a wheel chair for another slide.

 

Incorporated a variety of special equipment so people had more options to play.  

 

Paracyclist Jono Nelson posted a video of him trying out the playground for the first time, said he felt like a kid again.

 

 Marthy Cloake uses the Playground Centers expression swing with her grandaughter at the Caroline Bay playground - Photo Geoff Cloake

 

 

Accesable trampoline

 

Mother and daughter enjoy using the accessable trampoline

 

Interactive bridge

 

Muscial instruments for sensory fun

 

Accessable double BBQ so a wheel chair user can reach the cooking surface.

 

 

Even if you are 6.8ft you can play!

 

The deck of the ship can be accessed by the ramp in the mound

 

Hard and smooth transitions from various surfaces so people can move around the playground freely. The bark area will be developed into a garden including shady trees to sit under.  We also left the centre area clear of furnture so people can use the area for pop up events, to kick a ball etc...

 

Bespoke furnture, the bench on the side the kids are sitting on has a space so a wheel chair user could sit in the centre. The table is large to accomodate a crowd. 

"Through our community consultation we learnt that we wanted to fit more bums on seats, so these are 3m long and quite wide to accommodate a little crowd, space for a wheel chair user, and give supervisors a perch while people play at the Tuna Eel Mound area. We are so happy with them, thank you to Aaron from Vulcan / Ullrich who helped design these and made this happen. Vulcan / Ullrich supplied and donated the seating and leg material, Hank, from Truweld fabricated and assembled the seating, all local supporters of C-Play. The seat tops and legs were painted by Christchurch Powder Coating, (they pushed the job forward just for the C-Play project!)". - CPlay volunteer Roselyn Fauth

 

Enhancing Accessibility: New Designated Parking at Caroline Bay Playground Supports Inclusivity and Better Access for All

The new designated accessible parking at Caroline Bay playground marks a significant step forward in promoting inclusivity and accessibility for all visitors. As seen in the photo, the upgraded parking area features spacious parallel parks near the north entrance of the playground, ensuring ease of access for individuals with limited mobility. The smooth ramped transition from the road to the footpath eliminates barriers, allowing wheelchair users and those with mobility aids to navigate effortlessly. With longer parking spaces designed to accommodate accessible vans and provisions for rear and side unloading, the upgrade ensures that individuals requiring special assistance can enjoy the playground experience with convenience and dignity. This initiative reflects our commitment to creating an inclusive environment where everyone can play together, regardless of their abilities. - Photo Roselyn Fauth

 

Security camers have a live feed to the community watch house - Photo Roselyn Fauth

 

 

Breaking Barriers: Adults and Teenages Embrace Play at the New Playground, Overcoming Previous Accessibility Challenges

 

Police get some tips from 14 year old Judah Kenner for the floor is lava obstical course themed to our local geology

 

Local fire and emergency team working together to get over the nets on the floor is lava obstical course