Reserve Development Plan ‘Play’ Zone

A. Shirley Community Reserve | Current Playground

B. Shirley Community Reserve | Playground Issues
– Playground is more suited for babies & preschoolers, requiring adult interaction.
– ‘Modular Play’ & ‘Swing Set’ are enclosed in a wooden frame (tripping hazard) with bark chips (accessibility issues for those with limited mobility & sensory issues).
– Lack of fenced area (near busy Shirley Road) & seating (for extending play time & observation location for adults & children waiting to engage)

C. Shirley Community Reserve | Community Needs
– Child Development: More babies & preschoolers have limited opportunities to crawl (smaller houses = smaller lounge & hallway).
Crawling develops co-ordination & strong shoulder muscles, to help control their arm/hand for fine motor skills like writing. Create more opportunities for preschoolers/primary aged children to climb/crawl/hang.
– Inclusive Play Space: Designed to cater for the neurodiverse community (Feasibility Study 2023): “Opportunity to provide for inclusive play…Reserve is already currently fenced, which is rare particularly in the area north of Bealey Avenue…fenced playground…something the Disability community is advocating for more of, in particular the Autism community in Christchurch.”

D. Shirley Community Reserve | CCC Draft Plan

CCC Draft Plan | Proposed Equipment
– Yes | A: Curved Leg 2-Bay Junior Swing
– Yes | B: Big Seated Net Chair
– Yes | C: Companion Swing
– Yes | D: Waka Rocker
– No | E: Supernova Spinner, design not suitable for preschoolers & those with physical issues.
– No | F: In-Ground Trampoline, rectangular shape to allow wheelchair users & more than one user at a time.
– No | I: Play Whare, better interactive whare design options available.
– No | J: Embankment Slide, design not suitable for those with physical issues & metal surface burns skin.
– Yes | K: Inclusive Honeycomb Carousel
– No | L: Low Vertical Timber Wave Fence, trip hazard for preschoolers & those with physical/mobility issues.
– Yes | M: Te Reo Māori Core Board & Sensory Play Panels

– Equipment: Focus on Swings. No Climbing Equipment. Limited independent play options for preschoolers.
– Colour Scheme: Equipment needs to be ‘nature’ inspired, not bright, blues & greens, sensory friendly.
– Footpaths: Wider than normal, easy to navigate, simple direct access from A to B.
– Timber Boardwalks: Accessibility & safety issues due to slick surfaces for wheelchairs & strollers.
– Softfall Bark Chip: Can be challenging for some users with sensory sensitivities or mobility needs.

E. Shirley Community Reserve | ‘Shirley Centre’ Plan

– Full fenced area with two access gates: North/close to Shirley Road & South/close to car park/playcentre.
– ‘Play’ Zone Surface: one level, Softfall rubber surface, muted green colour similar to ‘Grass’ Zone colour.
– Trees (in appropriate locations) to provide shaded areas.
– Seating (in appropriate locations) for extending play time & observation location for adults & children waiting to engage.

‘Shirley Centre’ Plan | ‘Play’ Zone Equipment Suggestions
– Modular Play: replace current equipment with ‘Mini Dome with Slide’ & ‘Play Whare’.
Opportunities for preschoolers/primary aged children to climb/crawl/hang/slide.
Designed for interactive games like peek-a-boo & tag etc.

– Swing Set: replace current equipment with the CCC Draft Plan proposed swing set.
A. Curved Leg 2-Bay Junior Swing with (left to right):
1st position: B. Big Seated Net Chair
2nd position: Toddler Seat
3rd position: Standard Seat
4th position: C. Companion Swing
Keeping the B. & C. swings (that involve more than one person), easily accessible from the outer edge of the frame.

– See Saw: replace current equipment with the CCC Draft Plan proposed see saw = D. Waka Rocker.

– Spinners: replace the CCC Draft Plan proposed E. Supernova Spinner = Wheelchair Carousel. One level, inclusive & provides users with the option to sit or stand.
Include the CCC Draft Plan proposed K. Inclusive Honeycomb Carousel, for those users who enjoy spinning, but require more support.

– Trampoline: replace the CCC Draft Plan proposed F. In-Ground Trampoline = Inclusive Rectangular Trampoline. Larger size, inclusive & more than one user at a time.

– Core Boards & Sensory Play Panels: Include the CCC Draft Plan proposed M. Te Reo Māori Core Board & Sensory Play Panels.
Bilingual Core Boards featuring both Te Reo Māori and English, encourage Reserve users to learn & use both languages.
The Core Board will be beneficial for our neurodiverse & non-English speaking Reserve users.
Core Boards introduce literacy into the play area for younger Reserve users, connecting images & symbols to words.
Integrate the Core Board near the play structures not on a fence, so Reserve users don’t have to stop playing to communicate with others.
Sensory Play Panels engage Reserve users with activities designed to stimulate touch, sight, and sound.