We brought community story telling into the play space. 

CPlay integrated community storytelling through large and detailed whimsical design to promote discovery learning. These details, tied to local geology, culture, and history, offered locals and visitors the opportunity to uncover hidden surprises over time, enhancing their engagement and connection to the space. The cohesive themes and designs of bespoke play items, structures, and surfacing provided sensory stimulation and fueled imaginative play. These elements were further reinforced through park signage and extended along coastal trails, enriching the overall community experience. The self-directed nature of play nurtured a sense of ownership in learning, with educators utilizing these features in both classroom and museum settings. Through thoughtful design, our playground not only facilitated fun and learning but also contributed to community well-being by promoting active engagement and critical thinking skills.

 

• Artistic details increase engagement and capture attention.
• Self-directed play fosters a sense of pride and responsibility in learning.
• Active interaction with equipment improves retention of learning.
• Problem-solving activities during play promote critical thinking skills.
• Thoughtful design enhances fun, learning, and community well-being.

 

Traditional playgrounds are usually a piece of equipment on minimum safety surface. There isn't any open play or story telling. While providing a space for physical activity and play, often have limitations and drawbacks:

• Limited Accessibility: may not be accessible to individuals with disabilities or mobility challenges due to the design of equipment and surfacing and also the paths and access site wide.
• Lack of Inclusivity: Traditional playgrounds may not cater to the diverse needs and interests of all children, including those with sensory sensitivities or different abilities.
• Static Design: The fixed design may limit imaginative play and exploration, leading to boredom and disengagement over time.
• Minimal Educational Value: Focus solely on physical play, missing opportunities to incorporate educational elements or promote cognitive development.

 

Ways we worked to make the new playground even more fun and meaningful was to:

• Innovative Design: Feature innovative and creative designs that incorporate a variety of play elements, such as climbing structures, slides, swings, sensory play areas, and interactive features for imaginative play and exploration.
• Inclusive Features: Designed with inclusivity in mind, incorporating accessible equipment and surfacing to accommodate individuals of all ages and abilities. This inclusivity fosters a sense of belonging and allows children of different backgrounds and abilities to play together.
• Safety Enhancements: Prioritize safety by adhering to updated safety standards and guidelines. This may include the use of impact-absorbing surfacing materials, rounded edges, and improved fall protection measures, reducing the risk of injuries during play. But also make sure there are options for risk and challenge so people can learn to assess risk.
• Educational Opportunities: Integrate educational elements, such as themed play structures, interactive panels, and informational signage to promote learning and development while children engage in play and have fun, fostering cognitive skills and curiosity.

 

We met with a wide range of educators to understand how the playground could provide educational value. 

https://nzcurriculum.tki.org.nz/

 

One of our volunteers even did a course with National Geographic into learning how to teach young people the explorer mindset https://blog.education.nationalgeographic.org/2021/09/23/in-need-of-professional-learning-worthy-of-an-explorer-create-your-own/

This was the way we used to play. We had the odd comment here and there... "what was wrong with the playground of the 1960s". We learnt that there was a lot that could be better. - CPlay Volunteer Roselyn Fauth

 

 Caroline Bay Playground in 1970s - South Canterbury Museum: CN 2020/064.05

 

South Canterbury Museum educator Keely Kroening gives the first educational school visit in the new playground 21 February 2024. The students were taught about mahika kai and tuna (eel) in the local area. - Photo Roselyn Fauth

 

Annabelle Fauth looks for her artwork in the Aigantighe Art Gallery Children's Mural - Photo Roselyn Fauth

 

Infusing History into Every Corner of the Playground, from Surfaces to Signage

 

Annabelle Fauth (5) pretends to ride the dolphin to the safety of the shore. The dolphin was created by CREO. - Photo Roselyn Fauth

 

Ship rats gnawing their way through grain and sacks under the shipwreck - artist and sculptor Donald Patterson created these from fiber glass and resin. He is the same artist who created the Captain Cain statue. We wanted to prompt different emotions in the playground, and including fun and cute with naughty and a bit gnarly would help achieve that. - Photo Roselyn Fauth

 

Playground Center's workshop with the progress on the bespoke mokihi sea saw. It is 4m long, and can be walked across. - Supplied by Playground Centre

 

Annabelle Fauth (5) Tests out the Mokihi Sea Saw - Photo Roselyn Fauth 

 

Artists and CPlay volunteers Roselyn Fauth and Francine Spencer plan Tuku Tuku patterns for the whare. 

 

Tukutuku panels designed by Francine Spencer and Roselyn Fauth

 

Panels by Francine Spencer and Roselyn Fauth

 

Sign under the whare where people could sit and read to each other a story about mahika kai and going on a trading journey. The design was donated by CPlay volunteer Roselyn Fauth

 

Secret kai moana symbols to hunt for - Roselyn Fauth

 

Sharing our stories and journey - Francine Spencer is interviewed by the Creo marketing team. - Photo Roselyn Fauth

 

The Aigantighe Art Gallery team helped us create a community mural. They handed out over 700 wooden tiles with brushes and paint to inspire people to create art to remember the old playground and celebrate the new. Their art was photographed and printed onto a sign inside the Lighthouse. Here is a photo of Staff Member, Cat at the Aigantighe, and Medinella Fauth handing in her creation for the mural. - Photo Roselyn Fauth

 

Montage of the artworks

Annabelle Fauth (5) searches for her artwork inside the lighthouse slide tower at Caroline Bay. - Photo Roselyn Fauth

 

Lovely to see posts like this one by Gabrielle Hall on social media of families enjoying the community artwork. The kids love having their work included, and as they grow up, they will be able to visit their art and have the nostalgia and memories of playing at the bay. "Zac absolutely loved going to find his tile when the playground opened, as you can see he was so proud of his artwork. He has been so excited to show his friends it when they have playdates at CPlay. Will be great memories to show off when he’s older. If this playgrounds around in 20 years he maybe showing his own children his masterpiece" - Gabrielle Hale

 

 

Art from the Aigantighe's permanent collection was incorporated into the playground. The signs are part of a wider art history trail along the Timaru coastline. This painting is by local artist Sue Tennant - Photo Roselyn Fauth

 

Signwriting was incorporated to cargo of the shipwreck to intrigue visitors into learning more about the stories that inspired the playground. One barrel is a nod to the first known shipment of whale oil that was at Caroline Bay waiting to be collected. The other barrel is a nod to Timaru's first shipwreck the Prince Consort. - Photo Roselyn Fauth

 

 

Ratbag Sculptures by Donald Patterson, the same artist who created Timaru's Captain Cain sculpture. - Photo Roselyn Fauth

 

Historic anchor believed to be from the 1840s was donated to CPlay

 

Wheel salvaged from a shipwreck near Perth Australia.

 

Panels feature lighthouse keeper implements so you can pretend you are collecting your tools to maintain the lens, light the lamp etc... The flags were hoisted by the Harbour master to instruct ships anchored in the bay. You could pretend to go up the lighthouse to check on the sea conditions and then fly flags to instruct ships to go out to sea to prevent loosing anchors and wrecking on the shore. The symbols were designed by CPlay volunteer Roselyn Fauth

 

The flying fox was themed around the volunteer rocket brigade who save many lives in Timaru.

 

Faultline symbols were incorporated as a nod to Timaru's shaky past.

 

Moa footprints from 3d scans of actual prints found a few km away from the playground.

 

See if you can work out what the cat is up to and why there is a mouse called Craig.

 

The first European born in Timaru slept in a gin crate for a cradle. He was the son of Yankie Sam, who had lived in Timaru as whaler, and came back to Timaru to settle and work on a sheep station.

 

Packing slip and crate tells us what passengers on the first immigrant ship to sail direct from the UK to Timaru were able to bring with them.

 

First flour exported from Timaru to UK. The font was inspired by very old cargo templates used by D.C Turnbull merchants, grain sellers and stevedores, his father was the first to export flour.

 

Stencil templates from DC Turnbull, whose family have been in business in Timaru since the early 1860s and were advocates for the new harbour.

 

Frozen meat trade brought huge opportunity to South Canterbury and the Port of Timaru.

 

The symbols are inspired by elements on the Timaru Coat of Arms.

Timaru Borough Coat of Arms on display at the Timaru District Council 

 

Rooney Earthmoving, prepare the sensory garden area for concrete paths. - Photo Roselyn Fauth

 

Story signage frames "Story Circle" are installed ready for the panels. A sensory garden will be developed in this space.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Project Manager Graham Ward and Trish Wigley walk through the site for a safety audit meeting - Photo Roselyn Fauth

The floor is lava obstical course design was inspired by Wapouri /Mt Horrible - South Islands youngest volcano. The lava shaped the land and provided habitat.