Welcome to the Caroline Bay Playground in Timaru – designed for a range of ages, stages, sizes and abilities, to inspire inclusive and imaginative play.
Come and play at the Caroline Bay's fun and free playground. Our goal was to help everyone play together, encouraging social interaction, physical activity, and mental stimulation. As well as providing options for the younger children, the adventurous can also seek a range of challenge to stimulates both physical and mental activity.
The playground design was inspired by the Caroline Bay environment, Māori and European stories, history, and heritage.
This is more than just a playground – it's a space for learning through movement, communication, observation, interaction, curiosity, and experimentation.
Here are some of the things you can play on:
- 14m long Bespoke Shipwreck: Shipwheel, Bell, Talker Tubes, Binoculars, Ball Maze Play Panel, Today’s Weather Is Play Panel, Four in a Row Play Panel, Climbing Net and Grips, Koru Wave Slide, Ship Rat Sculptures and Themed Cargo , and Dolphin Rubber Sculpture.
- Bespoke 10m tall Lighthouse & 7m and 5m Mega Tube Slides: Firepole, Climbing Net, Talker Tubes, and Community Mural.
- Embankment slide
- Harmony Metallophone
- Mahika Kai Themed Whare: Timber Slatted Crawl Tunnel, Double Supa Ride Slide, and Firepole.
- Mokihi Custom Seesaw
- Balance Beams
- Tuna Eel mound: 3 x In ground Trampolines, Inclusive Wheelchair trampoline, Inclusive Carousel, Honey Comb Carousel, Wooden Cadenza, Conga Drum Set, Interactive Bridge with Sound, Inclusive Spinning Bucket, Frangipani Nature Rocker, and Tunnels through the Tuna Eel Mound
- Floor is Lava Course: 2 x 3m Ninja Wall & Climbing Rails, 2 x Ninja Style Rock Finger Wall, 3m Triple Rock Wall, Scramble Net, 2 x Horizontal Totem Poles, Up & Over Rope Net, and 2 x Catch the Flag Pole Game
- Jump Touch
- 50m Double Traveller Flying Fox
- Mouse Wheel
- Swings: Double Cyclops Snake Swing, 4 Bay Metal Deluxe - Inclusive 1, 4 Bay Metal Deluxe - Junior, 2 Basket Swings / Flying Saucers, 2 Bay Mega Swing
- Rope Prymid
- Metal embankment slide
- 1960s iconic yellow horse
During our consultation, we learned families, particularly those with disabilities and autism, like to research playgrounds before visiting them. To help with their planning we have lots of photos so you can be prepared and ensure the playground meets specific accessibility requirements and sensory considerations. Families with members who have disabilities or autism often face unique challenges in navigating public spaces, and the playground is no exception.
We hope that with this information, you can research beforehand, so you can assess whether the playground offers appropriate facilities, such as wheelchair ramps, sensory-friendly equipment, and quieter areas, ensuring an inclusive and enjoyable experience for all members. We feel this proactive approach reflects the growing awareness and advocacy for inclusive recreational spaces, emphasizing the importance of accommodating diverse needs within community environments.
CPlay progress as of 13 November 2023 - Photo Jack Rushton
First family to play when the security fences were removed. Photo: Roselyn Fauth
Quality father and daughter time with Chris and Medinella (9) Fauth - Photo Geoff Cloake
One of the first families to come and play at the new playground and test it out before the security fences came down. Photo: Venture Timaru
School visit to the playground with educator from the South Canterbury Museum. Photo: Roselyn Fauth
Siblings Ruben Cloake and Annelies Bray have a race on the 50m tandem flying fox. Photo: Geoff Cloake
Marthy Cloake and grandaughter swing together on the expression swing by Playground Centre. Photo: Geoff Cloake
Team from fire and emergency in Timaru test out the floor is lava obstical course. Photo Roselyn Fauth
Police pop in for a slide while a school class watches on. Photo: Roselyn Fauth
Looking ship shape and ready for play. Photo: Todd Mudie Group.
Ship deck can be accessed by a ramp on a mound, so everyone can have fun steering the ship, ringing the bell and using the talker to give orders to the ship crew. Photo: Roselyn Fauth
Tongan Society met at the playground to use the free electric BBQs and play. Photo: South Canterbury Tongan Society.
Bouncing on the accessable trampoline by Playground Centre. - Photo supplied
Balancing on the mokihi seesaw by Playground Centre - Photo Playground Centre.
Teenagers rock the swing - Photo: Geoff Cloakie
Cyclops swing entertaining the ladies. Photo supplied
Young family enjoy the slides. Photo: Venture Timaru