Playspaces in Kaiapoi East

Norman Kirk Park and Currie Park

We want your feedback on the designs for a new play space at Norman Kirk Park and a renewed play space at Currie Park.

The play space at Currie Park is at the point of renewal and previous engagement with the community indicated that the play space here is underutilised and could be better located in a more strategic place. This identified a need to look at the wider context around Currie Park to identify what would best serve this community.

As a result, a proposal to retire the play space in Currie Park and create a new play space within Norman Kirk Park was taken to the community in August 2023.

Feedback from the surrounding community indicated that residents were mostly supportive of this and taking this feedback into consideration, the Kaiapoi-Tuahiwi Board have approved the proposal to reallocate the renewal budget for Currie Park, to a create a new play space at Norman Kirk Park. Part of the reallocated budget will also be used for a small play space at Currie Park where the existing playground will be removed. 

Feedback was also sought for what play equipment to introduce to Norman Kirk Park as well as what could replace the current play equipment at Currie Park. This feedback has been used to inform the proposed design concepts and now we want to know what you think.

What we’re proposing

Norman Kirk Park

Requests we received from the community for the play space included swings, climbing equipment, water play, sensory play and spinning equipment. There was also an emphasis on accessibility and inclusivity.

Most of these elements have been incorporated into the proposed design, which features a three-bay swing with options for all ages, an accessible carousel, rocker and a fort with slides. A bench seat and a picnic table with wheelchair compatibility complete the space, which is fringed by large shade trees.

Most of the play space would have a soft fall bark surface, and wet pour rubber matting would be placed in specific areas for accessibility. These areas include the base of the slides and beneath the nest swing and carousel/spinner which are inclusive pieces of play equipment.

Currie Park

Several different ideas for replacing the play equipment at Currie Park were suggested by the community during the initial consultation such as a new playground, a community garden or sports equipment.

Given the limited budget and the parks location, a ‘nature play’ concept is being proposed. Suited more to younger children, this includes rock boulders, stepping posts and walking logs for natural and sensory play, alongside native plant and wildflower plant beds. A maze and exploration table may also be installed if budget allows.

The proposed play space at Currie Park retains the existing bark mulch in the playground area that the play equipment would be removed from and uses this to form a base for a natural play space.

To improve access a small section of concrete footpath is proposed from the Ellen Place to the bark soft fall area and to the exiting bench seat close by, including a pram crossing at the street edge.

Tell us what you think

We want to know what you think about the proposed design concepts for the play spaces at both Norman Kirk and Currie Parks.

Have your say using the feedback form or the below survey before 5pm, Friday 6 December 2024.

September 2023 - Background

We are considering what play spaces we should have in the Kaiapoi East area and want to know what you think about a proposal to replace the playground (currently up for renewal) at Currie Park with a new play space at Norman Kirk Park.

Following the 2010/11 earthquakes and subsequent red-zoning of properties, the community dynamic within the Kaiapoi East area has changed significantly and along with this, their associated needs. The remaining community is now serviced by two neighbourhood parks which include playgrounds (Currie Park and Grey Crescent Reserve) as well as the newly developed Norman Kirk Park, Food Forest and wider Regeneration Area all withinclose proximity.

The play space at Currie Park in East Kaiapoi is currently at the point of renewal and previous engagement with the community around this reserve indicated that the play space here is underutilised and could be better located in a more strategic place. This has identified a need to look at the wider context around Currie Park to identify what would best serve this community. Council staff have undertaken an exercise with the Kaiapoi Tuahiwi Community Board to identify potential locations for a play space in this area and are seeking feedback from you on a proposal to retire the play space in Currie Park and create a new play space within Norman Kirk Park.

What we’re proposing:

This proposal would see the ageing play space at Currie Park removed entirely, with the main use of the reserve reverting back to the wider open grass area for kicking balls etc. Instead of replacing this play space with a like for like playground in Currie Park, a new play space would be developed within the nearby Norman Kirk Park. This would be utilised both by the surrounding community and users of the sports fields. This play space would be located between the bund and the softball fields as shown below and is easily accessible from the car park, toilets, sports fields and other activities, such as the dog park and BMX track.

Tell us what you think!

We welcome your feedback on the location of the renewed playground to make sure we’re on the right track before we start drawing up a concept plan. Have your say before 5pm, 22 September 2023.

Next steps

Once feedback closes on 22 September, staff will collate the feedback and provide it within a report for the Kaiapoi-Tuahiwi Community Board who will consider the proposal to move the play space.