Attachment Ōrākei Pl
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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.