Latest update
About this project
This engagement follows a previous survey about the Willowbank Reserve play area refresh, from October 2023. We asked the Tawa community to give us an idea of what they’d like to see in the renewed play area, as well as their likes and dislikes about the current site.
At the same time, Council had also conducted a review of the city’s Dog Policy. As part of that consultation, the public was asked to consider the removal of a portion of the Willowbank Reserve dog exercise area, and the relocation of the Willowbank Reserve play area. While the majority of people who submitted on the Dog Policy Review consultation were in favour of the shift, feedback from the Willowbank Reserve play area pre-engagement survey preferred the existing site due to its unique features (see notes from the Dog Policy adoption meeting, Proposal #6.)
The final design concept featured on this page was informed by answers to a pre-engagement survey in October 2023, as well as feedback from a public consultation with the Tawa community - held in June 2024.
Key features of the proposed concept
- A theme referencing the tuna (eels) that live in the local stream
- A flying fox
- Junior module with slide
- A Tower with climbing opportunities and two slides
- “Dancing snake” rope swing
- Nature play area on the embankment
- Swing set, including an inclusive swing seat & basket swing
- New safety surfacing, that incorporates the tuna theme around accessible equipment
- Amenity planting
- New or refurbished furniture
- A connecting track linking the existing Ara Tawa shared path (asphalt path) to the bridge
More information about playgrounds
The Willowbank Reserve play area is categorised as a community play space, which are designed to keep junior-age tamariki and/or rangatahi (youth-aged people) entertained for at least an hour. Community play spaces should provide play opportunities for a range of age groups, and should offer something unique compared to similar play spaces elsewhere in Pōneke.
We're renewing these play areas to make them an even better place to play. You can read more about Wellington City Council’s strategic vision and planning for play areas in Wellington in the Play Spaces Policy (2017).
