History
- 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, Christchurch.
- The playground opened in December 2015, around five years after the earthquakes that hit the city in 2010 and 2011.
- The Playground is named after a famous children’s author: Margaret Mahy
Margaret Mahy
Margaret Mahy (1936–2012) is New Zealand’s most celebrated children’s writer. Margaret wrote more than 120 books, which have since been translated into 15 different languages .
Before becoming a full-time writer, she worked as a librarian for over 10 years.
Design
- Reflecting the diverse landscape of the Canterbury, it incorporates large spaces of play equipment. It uses elements from the stories of local children’s writers Margaret Mahy and Elsie Locke.
1. The Super-Sized Slide Tower:
This structure features multiple slides of varying lengths and styles, providing children with a thrilling sliding experience.
2. The Water Play Area:
This area includes fountains, pumps, and channels where children can play with water, creating dams, and experimenting with the flow of water.
3. The Flying Fox:
A long zip line-style ride
4. The Tree House:
A wooden structure resembling a tree house, with multiple levels, bridges, and climbing opportunities.
5. The Story Arc:
A curved structure featuring colorful, oversized books that tell the stories of Margaret Mahy
Importance
Community playgrounds provide children the opportunity to practice key skills including social, emotional, and physical. Children are constantly learning through play—making new friends, sharing, taking turns and interacting with other children.