Bringing play back to post quake Christchurch
When the Margaret Mahy Family playground - Takaro a Poi - opened in 2015, it was packed immediately and the sound of children's play filled the air. That hasn't stopped and the stunning facility is credited with bringing fun back to central Christchurch.
The playground occupies an entire city block - and was initiated by the community who chose play as one of the five key changes wanted in the rebuild after the 2010/11 quakes.
Photography: Opus International Consultants.
It was the biggest play project in New Zealand - children were invited to help design the world's best playground. The rest of the country was involved through a travelling display of the entries, a facebook page and other multi media initiatives.
In our latest 2017 Resene NZILA Pride of Place award video, WSP Opus Landscape Architect Catherine Hamilton tells us about the design, the inspiration for the playground as well as the importance of "play value" to help build confident children.
