Recreation Aotearoa
Green Pav24 Highlights
2024-06-24

Dr. Bex Dollery (Ecologist, Waimakariri District Council), Roselyn and Chris Fauth (CPlay Committee), and Duncan MacDougall (Hamilton City Council) share highlights from the Green Pavlova conference. The Waimakariri District Council explores a potential nature-based solution to mitigate the effects of climate change, support biodiversity, and offer nature and recreation opportunities. CPlay shares the story of how the volunteer committee created an epic and award-winning playground. Finally, the development of Korikori Park as a multi-functional premier park and how it fits into a wider community, recreation, and town center precinct is discussed.

Click the image to watch the full presentation

A Community Dream Comes to Life

After five years of committed volunteering, the team behind CPlay now finds themselves reflecting on a completed project that has transformed Timaru’s public space. What started as a grassroots vision has become one of the largest playgrounds in the Southern Hemisphere.
“We were just a small team of volunteers,” said Rose. “Now we’re talking about the project in the past tense. It’s surreal.”
The CPlay committee, a team of 13 volunteers, raised over three million dollars and worked closely with community members, local experts, and the Timaru District Council to deliver something remarkable.

A Volunteer-Led Success Story

Despite not being playground specialists at the beginning, the team brought together a wide range of relevant skills. These included project management, architecture, education, art, business development, and lived experience as parents and grandparents.
Instead of presenting a predetermined plan, the committee began by listening. They approached stakeholders and asked a simple question: how would you like to be involved. This approach created trust and encouraged genuine collaboration from the start.

Building With, Not Just For, the Community

The consultation process was wide-reaching. The committee held workshops and conversations with health and disability advocates, sports and fitness leaders, aged care providers, business owners, educators, and school children. Consultation was never tied to financial contributions.
The aim was to understand community needs, not secure donations. As a result, the feedback was thoughtful and honest.
From this engagement, four clear goals for the playground emerged. It had to be fun. It had to be inclusive. It had to be meaningful. It had to be challenging.

Community Structure and Strong Partnerships

The committee was divided into two focus areas: fundraising and design. A small group raised the full budget of three million dollars through grant applications, business sponsorships, and a successful appeal to the Timaru District Council through its Long-Term Plan process.
The Council played an essential supporting role. While the committee led the vision, the Council managed formal responsibilities such as contract procurement, safety compliance, materials, and future maintenance planning.
A joint project manager supported both sides. They volunteered part-time with the committee and were employed part-time by the Council. This role was crucial in ensuring clarity, accountability, and communication throughout the build.

Activation: Breathing Life Into the Space

After construction, the committee focused on making sure the playground was well used. Rose led the activation strategy, bringing in educators, fitness instructors, artists, and community groups.
Local schools now use the playground as part of their learning programs. It is more than a place to play. It is a destination for education, community art, and healthy activity.
The project’s communication platforms also evolved. The CPlay website and social media channels became rich archives of community voices and a valuable record of local stories and ideas.

A Model for Community-Led Design

The CPlay project shows what is possible when people are given real ownership of a shared vision. As volunteers, the committee had no external agenda. Their strength was being trusted members of the community working on behalf of that community.
They consulted with no expectations. They asked questions before offering solutions. They separated fundraising from design input. Most importantly, they delivered something that reflected what people actually needed and wanted.
“We didn’t just build a playground,” said Rose. “We built something the community believed in.”