Margaret Mahy Family Playground

A Christchurch Rebuild Anchor Project, Margaret Mahy Family Playground is the largest play project in New Zealand. Located in the city centre directly on the edge of the Avon River, this playground demonstrates one of the five key principles selected by the community to rebuild Christruchurch: Play.

Reflecting the diverse landscape of the Canterbury Plains and Port Hills, this 2.5 ha site incorporates large spaces and a wide array of play equipment. The design team combined inspiring and colourful elements, creating a 130 m ‘story arc’ pathway using elements from the stories of local children’s writers Margaret Mahy and Elsie Locke. Narratives and imagery from the Ngai Tahu also feature in the arc. A variety of custom-made equipment delivers a 10 m high tower, 4 m high climbing slope with stainless slides, in-ground trampolines and flying foxes. Water play, climbing nets and small artworks also integrate themselves and contribute to an endless variety of potential for adult and child play.

Through vision and collaboration, the Margaret Mahy Family Playground is, and will continue to be, an essential addition to the Christchurch City Rebuild.