We would like your feedback on the draft concept plans for the playground renewal at Harrington Park in Riccarton.
Project status: Decision made
Open for feedback: 25 February 2019 to 18 March 2019
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Community Board decision made
At the 30 April 2019 Community Board meeting the staff recommendation was approved(external link). The approved landscape plan includes some additional items:
- A shade umbrella over a seating area
- An extra bay on the swing set for a baby and toddler swing seat
- A nature play/balance trail on the edge of the play space
- Four trees that were in the open space area have been removed from the approved plan
- The inclusion of the wobbly wood bee rocker as this had 53% support
Construction of the new play space is expected to commence in July/August 2019 and if possible be complete by early October 2019.
Consultation has now closed
Consultation on the Harrington Park play space renewal has now closed. People were able to provide feedback from 25 March 2019 to 18 March 2019.
During this time we heard from 17 individuals and groups. You can read their feedback and view the amended plan that will be presented to the Waipuna/Halswell-Hornby-Riccarton Community Board on 30 April 2019 for approval.
What is this project about?
We have some funding available to complete the renewal of the play space and complete some landscaping works in Harrington Park in Riccarton. We would like your feedback on this draft landscape plan and also what choice of spring based play items the community would prefer. 
In October last year we asked the community to complete a survey to help us understand who is using the park, how the park is being used and what type of activities the community might like to do in the park. We also spoke to lots of people at the Riccarton Community Day. The results of all of this feedback has helped us to put together a draft landscape plan for the park.
What is due for renewal?
Not every item in the park is up for renewal. The cricket net, basketball court and the bulldozer will remain in their current locations and the cricket pitch will have minor repairs only.
What is included in the draft landscape plan?
The draft landscape plan includes these items:
- Removal of the existing modular play equipment to be replaced with a large modular play item.
- A choice between two spring based pieces of play equipment, either a honeycomb springer or a wobbly wood bee rocker.
- Removal of the existing flying fox and replacement with a new 30 metre flying fox.
- Removal of the existing swing set and replacement with a new mega swing set with a flying saucer swing.
- Installation of a new single see-saw.
- Installation of a new birds nest carousel.
- Installation of two new picnic tables and three park benches.
- Installation of a new scooter/bike stand - currently unfunded, to be installed when funding is available.
- Relocation of one existing seat within the park.
- Planting of 17 new trees and some low level planting.
- Topping up of existing softfall (bark) in the play areas.
Concept plan for Harrington Park [PDF, 5.3 MB]
The new modular play item we are proposing to install will cater for a wide range of ages, from preschool to school aged children. It includes:
- A hexagonal platform with roof
- Large mega tunnel slide and double wave slide
- Various bridges, nets, overhead monkey bars, baskets and glider, fireman pole, climbing wall and stepping posts that develop and enhance climbing, balance and co-ordination skills.
Modular play item
There is enough funding in the budget to include one of the two spring toys in the landscape plan. We would like your feedback on whether we should include the honeycomb springer or the wobbly wood bee rocker.
Honeycomb springer (left) and wobbly wood bee rocker (right)
In discussions with the community there was strong support for a flying fox to be included in the landscape plan. There was also a mix of comments from those who wanted it to be a big flying fox and those who wanted a smaller flying fox for use by the younger children. We have attempted to address this by including a flying fox that is a size to cater for a wide range of ages.
The existing flying fox will be removed, however part of the existing mound will remain to provide height for the new flying fox. The new flying fox will be 30 m single traveller flying fox.
New flying fox being proposed
The landscape plan also includes a new single see-saw and a new 2.95 m birds nest carousel.
New single see-saw
New carousel being proposed
The draft landscape plan includes a swing set to replace the existing swing set in the park. This set includes two strap swings and a flying saucer swing. This swing set is higher than a usual frame so can also be used by older youth and young adults.
Urban mega swing set
During our initial conversations with the community there were lots of comments about the lack of seating in the park. So the landscape plan includes two new wheelchair accessible picnic tables, three new park benches (with arm rests) and the relocation of one existing seat closer to the play spaces.
Example of an accessible picnic table
As part of the work to improve the visual look of the park and to provide sufficient shade, the plan includes planting of 17 new trees as well as low level planting and the topping up of the soft fall areas around the play equipment with bark.
The project budget does not include funding for the new bike/scooter stand. However, if the landscape plan is approved, the bike stand will be installed once funding is available.
Accessibility into the play space has been improved through including asphalt areas from the footpath to the play area, with access ramps into each area and between areas where the soft fall level changes. Play items (such as the carousel) that are accessible have been located nearer to entrance points of the play space.
Due to the cost associated with the removal of the old play equipment and reinstatement of some of these areas, the new play space area will be smaller in order to meet the budget. On the plan the old play space area and swing set area is marked as a dashed line. So you can see visually how reduced in size the play space area is proposed to be.
We would like to say a big thank you to those in the community that we talked to about this project at the Riccarton Community Day and who completed the survey for this project. This feedback has been invaluable in helping us to put this plan together. While the project budget does not allow us to include every idea, we have attempted to include as much as we can.
Collecting ideas at the Riccarton Community Day
Why do we need to renew the play equipment?
We plan to renew the playground equipment at Harrington Park as part of its playground renewal programme. This programme ensures that play equipment is safe, meets the current New Zealand Playground standards, and maintains an acceptable level of service for the community.
Talk to the team
If you have any questions or would like to chat to the project team, we will be available on:
Wednesday 6 March 2019,
2 pm to 4 pm (drop in at any time)
Harrington Park, Peveral Street, Riccarton
Timeline:
Monday 25 February 2019 - Consultation opened
Wednesday 6 March 2019 - Drop into Harrington Park to speak to the team
Monday 18 March 2019 - Consultation closed
April/May 2019 - Decision meeting
August/September 2019 - Construction works to commence (subject to approval)
What happens next?
Once the consultation period has closed, the project team will analyse the feedback and produce a staff report which will go to the Halswell-Hornby-Riccarton Community Board for approval. At this stage we are expecting that the decision by the Board will be made sometime in April or May 2019.
All submitters will receive written updates on the project, including details of the staff recommendations and decision meeting and how to request to speak at the Board meeting if they wish to do so.
If approved construction works within the park are expected to start in August or September 2019, however this is subject to weather conditions and contractor availability.