Pegasus Youth Space - Design

In 2024, we started talking to young people in Pegasus about creating a youth space.

We collected ideas and feedback from local youth about the type of space/activity youth specifically want.

Our young people told us they love spending time at the beach, lake, and parks like Wanaka Reserve. They enjoy both active activities like walking and biking, and more relaxed ones like just hanging out. They also want a space that’s fun, safe, clean, accessible and full of engaging activities.

Based on this feedback, we identified the types of spaces youth in Pegasus would like, along with potential locations and options.

Two designs that are being considered by the Woodend Sefton Community Board.

The Board have decided on three activities and designs have been created for how these could look on the ground. Before a final decision is made, the Board are seeking feedback from neighbouring residents on the designs specifically of the two options.

Option 1: Rakahuri and Maungatere (Northern End) Reserves

Option 1 features two dedicated youth spaces, the first at Rakahuri Reserve on Marangai Drive and the second at Maungatere Reserve on Kahu Street. Rakahuri Reserve would feature a multipurpose space combining a basketball halfcourt with a tennis backboard, and beside it a Gaga Dodgeball arena. The space would also include amenities such as seating.

In Maungatere Reserve, a double flying fox at the northern end of the reserve would provide entertainment while allowing the remaining reserve to be used for other recreational activities.

Option 2: Rakahuri, Waitaki and Maungatere (Southern End) Reserves

Rakahuri would be scaled down to one activity–the Gaga Dodgeball arena with accompanying picnic table and amenity planting.

The half basketball court and tennis backboard would be located at Waitaki Reserve on Mary Ellen Street and would include amenities like planting and seating.

Maungatere Reserve would still feature the double flying fox; however, this would be situated at the southern end of the Reserve.

Have your say

As your property adjourns one of the three reserves, we are keen to hear your thoughts on the design of these options. By design, we’re looking for your thoughts on things like the location and arrangement of activities and associated landscape features inside the reserve rather than the choice of reserve or equipment, which has already been considered by the Board. Your feedback will be considered and included as part of the report presented to the Woodend Sefton Community Board.

Historical Information

We want to hear from you about what a youth space in Pegasus should look like. We’ve already gathered some great feedback from around 140 young people through school visits and an online survey.

Our young people told us they love spending time at the beach, lake, and parks like Wanaka Reserve. They enjoy both active activities like walking and biking, and more relaxed ones like just hanging out. They also want a space that’s fun, safe, clean, accessible and full of engaging activities.

Based on this feedback, we’ve identified the types of spaces youth in Pegasus would like, along with potential locations and options. We are looking forward to moving ahead with one of these three great options, and we would appreciate your input to help us choose the best one.

Your feedback will help the Community Board decide whether to create a designated skate area or a mix of smaller projects. These are the options to choose from.

Option 1

This option would use all of our available budget, to build a dedicated skate item in either Karen Eastwood Park or Waitaki Reserve. The dedicated skate item would most likely be something like a half pipe.

Option 1 - Indicative image only of dedicated skate item

Option 2 

This option provides a mix of active sports play, active play and small, wheels play and includes:

• An area in Rakahuri Reserve that combines the ability to play basketball or tennis in the same spot
• A double flying fox in Maungatere Reserve, so rangatahi can race each other together
• Skate elements alongside the lakeside, this could include a few smaller installments that could be used to the side of the path so as not to interrupt path users.

Option 2 - Indicative image of basketball / tennis court, small skate elements and flying fox

Option 3

This option also provides a mix of active sports play, active play and small wheels play and includes:

• A natural nest in Rakahuri Reserve to encourage play as well as providing a social hang out space
• Gaga dodgeball in Maungatere Reserve for all those fans of this very popular game
• Skate elements in the Greenway this could include a few smaller skate elements that could be used.

Option 2 - Indicative image of nest, small skate elements and gaga dodgeball

More information

If you want to understand more about how these options were chosen, you can read the staff report 'Pegasus Youth Space Options – approval to undertake consultation' that was presented to the Woodend Sefton Community Board on 11 March 2025.