MAP / LANDMARKS / MARAGRET MAHY FAMILY PLAYGROUND
Margaret Mahy Family Playground
I’m Huanui, your pīwakawaka guide to the green spine trail.
Have you only just set off? No matter, it’s playtime! Let’s take a slight detour to the Margaret Mahy Family Playground (Tākaro ā Poi).
The riverside park incorporates the previous Elsie Locke Park. It was built in 2015 and is still the biggest playground in the southern hemisphere. Woop, woop! No wonder Christchurch is considered a ‘world capital of play’ (Pae Tākaro/Place of Play).
The playground design was recognised with an Award of Excellence in 2017 from the New Zealand Institute of Landscape Architects.
When you’ve finished having some fun here, continue on your way. I’ll join you at your next stop!
I have a vantage point high up in the trees by the river. From there, I’ve noticed that ‘big kids’ – adults – seem to enjoy the playground as much as tamariki! It’s proved to be a very popular place for whānau to congregate (just as writer Margaret Mahy’s books remain super popular).
Links:
NZILA award
https://nzila.co.nz/showcase/margaret-mahy-family-playground
Margaret Mahy bio
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Margaret_Mahy
Pae Tākaro (Place of Play)