Attachment Ōrākei Pl

Ōrākei Play Network Gap Analysis – recommendations

1) Neighbourhood, suburb and destination playground provision

Discussion

Definitions of neighbourhood, suburb and destination parks are provided in the Open Space Provision Policy 2016 (appendix 1). The type of play space in a park does not necessarily correspond to the park classification. The play space may be more or less significant than the park classification would suggest. To provide a more accurate reflection of the play network, play space typologies, using the same terminology of neighbourhood, suburb and destination, have been applied (see appendix 2 for definitions). These are based on the Open Space Provision Policy but focus on play elements.

Suburb play offers a greater range of play activities for more age groups. A wider range of people spend more time there than at a neighbourhood playground. They contain a greater range of supporting infrastructure. Neighbourhood playgrounds generally provide facilities for the two younger age groups, 0-8 years.

Investments in the suburb play network, rather than the neighbourhood play network, offer more benefits to larger catchment areas.

Schools, particularly primary schools, play a part in enhancing the neighbourhood play network. As they are not within council control and are unavailable during school hours and during after school activities their influence is limited. They can be considered to supplement the park network, but it is not suggested that they replace park improvements.

There are no destination playgrounds in the Ōrākei Local Board area.

Recommendation 1a) Upgrade neighbourhood parks to suburb park facilities to fill gaps

Gap 1: Newmarket and western Remuera (across both the Waitemata and Ōrākei Local Board areas)

• Shore Road Reserve – add to existing play space • Mt Hobson Domain – consider new play space in partnership with the Maunga Authority

Gap 2: Ōrākei, Mission Bay and Kohimarama

• Patteson Reserve – add to existing play space

Gap 3: St Heliers north

• Glover Park – add to existing play space • Maskell Reserve – add new neighbourhood play space (potential conflict with off-leash dog park) • Dingle Dell – add informal nature play

Gap 4: St Heliers south

• Glen Atkin Reserve - add informal nature play • Most opportunities to fill this gap are within the Maungakiekie-Tamaki Local Board area, using Apirana Reserve, Eastview Reserve)

Gap 5: St Johns

• Swainston Reserve – upgrade and add to existing poor-condition play space.

Recommendation 1b) Create a destination play space

Gap 6: Okahu Bay/Ōrākei Domain B combined

• Upgrade facilities at Okahu Bay. Okahu Bay is an ideal place for a destination playground. It has a unique cultural identity based on the Whenua Rangatira with a waka inspired play structure. It has the best example of accessible play in the Ōrākei Local Board area with the only structure that is fully accessible by wheelchair and fully accessible surfaces. More accessible items for a wider range of accessible needs could be added. It lacks only the older age categories 13-17 and health and fitness.

Gap 7: Colin Maiden Park

• Add a destination playground to Colin Maiden Park. Colin Maiden Park is already a destination venue for a range of sports. It currently has no play facilities although several options for play locations are included in the Colin Maiden Park Masterplan. A destination play space would complement the other facilities in the precinct. It would provide facilities for caregivers and other siblings during booked sport hours. It would encourage more visits outside of booked sport hours.

2) Age group provision

Age group Present in play spaces 0-4 26/29 5-8 26/29 9-12 17/29 13-17 9/29 Health and 3/29 fitness

0-4 years discussion

Play for the 0-4 years age group has been provided at 26 out of 29 play spaces. In 7 play spaces this play provision is minor. No addition to the network is needed. Instead the quality of play can be improved during renewal.

Recommendation 2a) Improve the quality of 0-4 years play

The quality of 0-4 years play can most easily be improved during renewal. The parks that are due for renewal are: • Crossfield Reserve • Ellerslie Domain • Bonnie Brae Reserve.

5-8 years discussion

Play for the 5-8 years age group has been provided for in 26 out of 29 play spaces. In 3 play spaces this play provision is minor. No addition to the network is needed. Instead the quality of play can be improved during renewal.

Recommendation 2b) Improve the quality of 5-8 years play

The quality of 5-8 years play can most easily be improved during renewal. The park due for renewal is:

• Crossfield Reserve.

9-12 years discussion

Play for the 9-12 years age group has been provided for in 17 out of 29 play spaces. In 3 play spaces this play provision is minor. Further investment in existing play spaces can fill this gap. The quality of play can be improved during renewal.

Recommendation 2c) Fill a gap in 9-12 years play

• Ellerslie Domain • Crossfield Reserve • Waiatarua Reserve

Recommendation 2d) Improve the quality of 9-12 years play

• Shore Road Reserve • Swainston Reserve (to replace Merton Reserve)

13-17 years discussion

Play for the 13-17 years age group has been provided for in 9 out of 29 play spaces. Further investment in existing play spaces can fill this gap.

Recommendation 2e) Fill a gap in 13-17 years play

• Shore Road Reserve • Rutherford Reserve • Swainston Reserve (to replace Merton Reserve) • Okahu Bay • Glover Park • Madills Farm

Health and fitness discussion

Health and fitness equipment is targeted towards adults. Facilities for the health and fitness group has been provided for in 3 out of 29 play spaces.

Recommendation 2f) Fill a gap in health and fitness facilities

• Ōrākei Basin • Madills Farm • Waiatarua Reserve • Little Rangitoto Reserve • Crossfield Reserve • Shore Road Reserve • Tamaki Drive (consider places on the road reserve as well as parks)

3) Specialised play provision

Specialised play has been divided into several categories: sound, water, sand, nature, courts and wheeled play. Provision in these specialized categories is much lower. Play spaces are generally traditional structures within a marked footprint. Although the materials and character of the playgrounds are being upgraded through renewal, the structures still focus on climbing, swinging, spinning and balancing skills. The concrete lizard at Patteson Reserve is the only example of something that is different to a traditional play structure.

Specialised play Present in play Minor play category spaces element Sound 7/29 3/7 Water 2/29 0/2 Sand 2/29 0/2 Nature 8/29 3/7 Learn-to-ride 3/29 - Skate 3/29 - BMX 1/29 - Basketball/netball 6/29 - Tennis 2/29 -

Sound play discussion

Sound play, although present in 7 play spaces is generally minor and limited to one or two interactive panels on the main climbing structure. Sound play can be useful in providing play opportunities for all abilities (particularly those without sight or without the strength to climb).

Recommendation 3a) Improve sound play

• Okahu Bay • Patteson Reserve • St Heliers Beach Reserve • Bonnie Brae Reserve • Wharua Reserve

Sand and water play discussion

Sand and water play are present in only 2 play spaces at Playtime Park and Selwyn Reserve. The coastal location and beaches at Okahu Bay, Selwyn Reserve, Kohimarama, St Heliers, Karaka Bay, Tahuna Torea and Wilsons Beach provide many opportunities for sand and water play. This is the most natural setting for sand and water play. Sand and water play in the Selwyn Reserve play space is unnecessary and could be relocated to another reserve during renewal. Potential sites are Little Rangitoto or Wairua Reserve. Alternative play opportunities could occupy this space at Selwyn Reserve.

Ōrākei Basin and the Waiatarua Reserve wetland are two large water bodies where swimming and contact with the water is discouraged. With confidence in water quality and an innovative design, it could be possible to incorporate an element of play into these areas.

Artifical water play could be included and promoted within the water feature in Ellerslie town centre or added if a civic space were developed in Remuera town centre.

Recommendation 3b) Improve sand and water play

• Ōrākei Basin • Waiatarua Reserve • Civic space water features in Ellerslie and Remuera town centres • During renewal relocate sand and water play from Selwyn Reserve to Little Rangitoto Reserve or Wairua Reserve

Nature play discussion

Generally, nature play in the Ōrākei Local Board area is a token modification to the landscaping around existing structured play spaces. Additional stepping stones, humps or mounds add to the play value. Only Cliff Face Park incorporated a maze within an area of planting. The recent development in Wairua Reserve and Tahapa Reserve include an obstacle/balancing trail. These are still constructed play elements.

Unstructured nature play, taking advantage of existing natural play features within reserves, is missing. Parks near bush areas, tree groves or fallen trees or with interesting contours are ideal for nature play. Some well-established specimen trees offer opportunities as a natural climbing structure. The contours of the maunga at Maungarei (Mt Wellington) and Ohinerau (Mt Hobson) offer interesting opportunities if this aligns with the aspirations of the Maunga Authority.

In some cases, the existing playgrounds have limited options for nature play. The gap could be filled more innovatively in native bush areas or through activations and educational programmes. Waiata Reserve, Kepa Bush, Dingle Dell Reserve and Tahuna Torea Nature Reserve combine areas of water, bush and grass. Ellerslie Domain has an easy opportunity to incorporate the surrounding gardens into the play space. Michaels Avenue Reserve and Glover Park could expand beyond the existing footprint into natural areas of the park. Waiatarua Reserve and Wharua/Portland Reserve offer bush and wetland opportunities. If Taylors Hill was not grazed by cattle it could provide a nature play extension to Crossfield Reserve.

Recommendation 3c) Improve nature play

• Identify specimen trees suitable as climbing structures • Waiatarua Reserve and Wharua/Portland Reserve • Waiata Reserve, Kepa Bush Reserve, Dingle Dell Reserve, Tahuna Torea • Ellerslie Domain • Michaels Avenue Reserve, Glover Park • Taylors Hill • Maungarei and Ohinerau

Court play discussion

Free court provision in parks is low in the Ōrākei Local Board area.

Free tennis provision only exists in Ellerslie Domain and at the Netball Centre in Colin Maiden Park. Nicholson park and Windmill Park offer the next nearest free public tennis courts in the Albert-Eden Local Board area. There are enough tennis courts within the local board area, but they are used exclusively by tennis clubs with lease agreements and membership charges.

Installing additional tennis courts is difficult because of the land that is required. An alternative option is to enable public access to existing exclusive use courts on public land. When lease agreements are renewed at Kupe Reserve, Melanisia Reserve and Glendowie Park, some provision for free public use should be incorporated into the lease agreement.

New basketball courts at Tahapa Reserve and Kupe Reserve will improve the court network. Further half-courts could be added to supplement the network at Shore Road Reserve, Madills Farm, Little Rangitoto Reserve, Glover Park and Colin Maiden Park.

Any development of full-sized court space should allow use by multiple sports (e.g. netball, basketball, tennis) instead of being sized and resourced for only one use. The court areas at Ellerslie Domain and Crossfield Reserve are ideal options for an upgrade.

Recommendation 3d) Improve courts

• Ellerlie Domain and Crossfield Reserve multi-use court upgrade • Include public access into tennis club lease renewals • Half court additions: Shore Road Reserve, Madills Farm, Little Rangitoto Reserve, Glover Park and Colin Maiden Park

Wheeled play discussion

There are three dedicated learn-to-ride tracks within existing play footprints at Playtime Park and Madills Farm. These are both small circuits in busy play spaces. Further opportunities are possible by adding markings and additional features to existing high-quality concrete footpaths at Bluestone Park, Ruka Reserve and Glover Park. With minor repairs and improvements learn-to-ride tracks could also be promoted at Michaels Avenue Reserve and Swainston Reserve. Rutherford Reserve, Roberta Reserve and Ellerslie Domain could also be developed as learn to ride sites, but they need more investment in missing connections to make a circuit. Waiatarua Reserve offers the best easy gravel road cycling experience.

There are no pump track facilities in the Ōrākei Local Board area. The nearest pump track is in Grey Lynn Park in Waitemata.

There are no mountain biking opportunities in the Ōrākei Local Board area. The nearest mountain biking opportunities are in Arch Hill Reserve in Waitemata.

Merton Reserve is a valuable asset. It is the only BMX track in the central city. Although the future of the BMX track in this location is uncertain, continuing to provide for this sport somewhere in the local board area should be a priority. The nearest junior, intermediate and experienced level BMX tracks will be available at Auckland Domain once Kari Street Commons is implemented.

There are only three skate facilities in the local board area. During renewal it is important to upgrade them to a high standard. An additional facility at Madills Farm and Ōrākei Domain B would help to fill this gap in provision.

Recommendation 3e) Improve wheeled-play

• Add markings and features to existing footpath: Bluestone Park, Ruka Reserve and Glover Park • Repairs and improvements to existing footpaths, then add markings and features: Michaels Avenue Reserve and Swainston Reserve • Invest in additional connections to create a learn-to-ride circuit: Rutherford Reserve, Roberta Reserve and Ellerslie Domain • Invest in a pump track experience in Ōrākei Domain B as part of a destination park • Consider options for mountain bike tracks if approached by clubs: A more suitable options may exist close by in the Maungakiekie-Tamaki Local Board area in Apirana Reserve • Keep a BMX facility within the Ōrākei Local Board area • Invest in additional skate facilities at Madills Farm and Ōrākei Domain B.

4) Accessible play provision

Four features of accessible play have been considered as part of this study: accessible surfacing, accessible edging, accessible play items and fully fenced play spaces. It is acknowledged that this is an area where further expert advice is required.

Accessible surface and edging discussion

Accessible surfaces are made of matta tiles or wet-pour or similar. They are accessible with wheelchairs or pushchairs. Accessible edging is a flush surface between the play footprint and the surrounding area. In some play spaces a ramp has been provided as a crossing point across the traditional wooden edging in at least one place.

Accessible surfacing is considerably more expensive than traditional wood chip cushion fall. However, it is important that there is a good distribution of accessible play spaces. Changes to the surface is recommended at reserves which also have other accessible features. At St Heliers Beach Reserve and Swainston Reserve accessible surfacing exists, but access is restricted by wooden edging or steps. This can be easily remedied.

School play spaces have not been assessed for their accessibility components.

Accessible play Present in play feature spaces Surfacing 10/29 Edging 9/29 Play items 12/29 Fully fenced 4/29

Recommendation 4a) Remove edging barriers in play spaces with accessible surfacing

• St Heliers Beach Reserve • Swainston Reserve

Recommendation 4b) Replace wood chip cushion fall for accessible surfacing

• Madills Farm • Little Rangitoto Reserve • Crossfield Reserve

Accessible play item discussion

Most of the accessible play items that are identified in this analysis are basket swings, a swing that can be used by children who don’t have the strength and/or coordination to hold on to traditional swings. Playtime park has a sit-on spinner. Rutherford Reserve has interesting panels within reach of ground level. Madills Farm has an in-ground trampoline. Neither Rutherford Reserve nor Madills Farm has accessible surfaces to enable full access to these items. Only Okahu Bay has a junior structure that is fully interactive. Ramps create a wheelchair accessible circuit through the structure.

Where accessible surfacing, edging and play items already exist it is recommended that an accessible play specialist provides expert advice on adding even greater play value for a range of abilities.

Recommendation 4c) Engage an accessible play specialist to provide advice on accessible play items

• Madills Farm • Okahu Bay • Waiatarua Reserve • Playtime Park

Fencing discussion

It is not expected that all play spaces will be fully-fenced. However, fencing provides peace-of-mind and security for some caregivers. It is therefore important that there is a good distribution of fully- fenced play spaces that caregivers can choose to visit.

There is already a good distribution of fully-fenced play spaces. The most economical way to increase the network is to target the reserves that are already partially fenced for safety reasons.

Recommendation 4d) Complete fencing on partially-fenced play spaces

• Bluestone Park or Ruka Reserve • Shore Road Reserve • Glover Park or St Heliers Beach Reserve

5) Growth

Maps in appendix 3 show the population density per hectare in 2018 and the projected density in 2051.

The areas of highest population density in 2051 are projected to be on the boundary with Newmarket and the boundary with Glen Innes.

The areas with the biggest change in population density have over 75% projected growth in population density (between 2016 and 2046). They are:

• Remuera boundary with Newmarket (census zone 257) • Ellerslie (census zone 352) • South and north Remuera (census zones 261 and 259) • Stonefields (census zone 350).

Appendix 1: Park Typologies from the Open Speace Provision Policy 2016

Appendix 2: Definitions of play space typologies, age categories and specialized play categories from previous play studies by Bespoke Landscape Architects 2019

Appendix 3: Growth statistics: 2018-2051 Population density per gross hectare. Using ART3.2A zones and data.

Appendix 4: Summary of recommendations

Neighbourhood, suburb and destination playground provision Action 1a Upgrade neighbourhood parks to suburb park facilities to fill gaps • Shore Road Reserve – add to existing play space Invest in existing play space Gap 1 • Mt Hobson Domain – add new play space Advocate to Maunga Authority for play on maunga Gap 2 • Patteson Reserve – add to existing play space Invest in existing play space • Glover Park Invest in existing play space • Maskell Reserve (potential conflict with off-leash dog park) Invest in new play space Gap 3 • Dingle Dell Invest in new play space (nature play) • Glen Atkin Reserve - add informal nature play Invest in new play space (nature play) • Most opportunities to fill this gap are within the Maungakiekie-Tamaki Local Board Advocate to Maungakiekie-Tamaki Local Board for Gap 4 area, using Apirana Reserve and Eastview Reserve investment in play Gap 5 • Swainston Reserve – upgrade and add to existing poor-condition play space Upgrade during renewal

1b Create a destination play space Gap 6 Okahu Bay/Ōrākei Domain B combined Invest in existing play space Gap 7 Colin Maiden Park Invest in new play space

Age group provision 0-4 years 2a Improve the quality of 0-4 years play • Crossfield Reserve Upgrade during renewal • Ellerslie Domain • Bonnie Brae Reserve 5-8 years 2b Improve the quality of 5-8 years play Upgrade during renewal • Crossfield Reserve 9-12 years 2c Fill a gap in 9-12 years play • Ellerslie Domain Invest in existing play • Crossfield Reserve • Waiatarua Reserve 2d Improve the quality of 9-12 years play • Shore Road Reserve Upgrade during renewal • Swainston Reserve (to replace Merton Reserve) 13-17 years 2e Fill a gap in 13-17 years play • Shore Road Reserve Invest in existing play • Rutherford Reserve • Swainston Reserve (to replace Merton Reserve) • Okahu Bay • Glover Park • Madills Farm

Health and fitness 2f Fill a gap in health and fitness facilities • Ōrākei Basin Invest in existing play • Madills Farm • Waiatarua Reserve • Little Rangitoto Reserve • Crossfield Reserve • Shore Road Reserve Advocate to Auckland Transport to include health and • Tamaki Drive (consider places on the road reserve as well as parks) fitness options within the road reserve

Specialised play provision Sound play 3a Improve sound play Invest in existing play • Okahu Bay Upgrade during renewal • Patteson Reserve • St Heliers Beach Reserve • Bonnie Brae Reserve • Wharua Reserve Sand and water play 3b Improve sand and water play • Ōrākei Basin • Waiatarua Reserve Invest in new play • Civic space water features in Ellerslie and Remuera town centres • During renewal relocate sand and water play from Selwyn Reserve to Little Rangitoto Reserve or Wairua Reserve Re-allocate renewal investment

Nature play 3c Improve nature play • Identify specimen trees suitable as climbing structures Invest in new play • Waiatarua Reserve and Wharua/Portland Reserve • Waiata Reserve, Kepa Bush Reserve, Dingle Dell Reserve, Tahuna Torea • Ellerslie Domain • Michaels Avenue Reserve, Glover Park • Taylors Hill Advocate to the Maunga Authority for nature play on • Maungarei and Ohinerau maunga Court play 3d Improve courts • Ellerslie Domain and Crossfield Reserve multi-use court upgrade • Include public access into tennis club lease renewals Invest in existing play • Half court additions: Shore Road Reserve, Madills Farm, Little Rangitoto Reserve, Advocate for changes to leasing conditions Glover Park and Colin Maiden Park Invest in new play 3e Improve wheeled-play • Add markings and features to existing footpath: Bluestone Park, Ruka Reserve and Invest in existing play Glover Park • Repairs and improvements to existing footpaths, then add markings and features: Michaels Avenue Reserve and Swainston Reserve • Invest in additional connections to create a learn-to-ride circuit: Rutherford Reserve, Roberta Reserve and Ellerslie Domain • Invest in a pump track experience in Ōrākei Domain B as part of a destination park Invest in new play • Consider options for mountain bike tracks if approached by clubs: A more suitable Advocate to Maungakiekie-Tamaki Local Board for options may exist close by in the Maungakiekie-Tamaki Local Board area in Apirana investment in play Reserve • Keep a BMX facility within the Ōrākei Local Board area • Invest in additional skate facilities at Madills Farm and Ōrākei Domain B.

Accessible play provision Accessible surface and edging 4a Remove edging barriers in play spaces with accessible surfacing • St Heliers Beach Reserve Invest in existing play • Swainston Reserve 4b Replace wood chip cushion fall for accessible surfacing • Madills Farm Invest in existing play • Little Rangitoto Reserve • Crossfield Reserve 4c Engage an accessible play specialist to provide advice on accessible play items Invest in existing play • Madills Farm • Okahu Bay • Waiatarua Reserve • Playtime Park 4d Complete fencing on partially-fenced play spaces • Bluestone Park or Ruka Reserve Invest in existing play • Shore Road Reserve • Glover Park or St Heliers Beach Reserve