A whimsical neighbourhood playground woven with story, nature and adventure
When Auckland Council asked the Ōrewa community what they wanted from a new neighbourhood reserve, the answer was simple: a place where families could gather, play and connect.
Working alongside Boffa Miskell, Playground Centre helped bring that vision to life, creating a magical, nature-inspired playground that feels part treetop adventure, part native forest floor discovery.
Known as Muka Park, the playground on Harvest Avenue in the coastal suburb of Ōrewa, blends storytelling, cultural identity and imaginative play into a richly layered community destination – where a musical bridge, rope climbs, sculptural bird forms and timber play structures invite children to explore and connect with the environment around them.
A community’s dreams taken flight
Developed through community consultation led by Auckland Council and Boffa Miskell, the park was designed as an all-ages neighbourhood gathering space that could support everyday play, picnics, walking and social connection.
Ngāti Manuhiri shared their cultural narrative and gifted the name Muka Park, helping shape a design language grounded in the surrounding natural landscape. These stories were woven throughout the playground through botanical and dry stream bed elements, laser-cut bird silhouettes and play structures inspired by the nearby forest and local birdlife.
The result is a playground that feels uniquely connected to place, community and culture.
Bringing imaginative playground concepts to life
Playground Centre collaborated closely with Boffa Miskell to refine and deliver bespoke elements within the playground, optimising customisation details for manufacture, installation and durability while maintaining the integrity of the design vision.
Predominantly constructed from timber, the playground combines natural materials with innovative equipment combinations to create a highly immersive and memorable play experience.
At the heart of the playground is an interconnected wobbly wood adventure course featuring swinging logs, suspension bridge crossings, climbing nets, and elevated basket net perches. With bright but subtle red ropes and swooping petrels atop the timber poles it’s a delight for the senses and an irresistible drawcard for park-goers.
Additional play pieces include a stand-alone Spinning Spiral Rotating Tower, an Interactive Timber Bridge with sound features, and a 4-bay Timber Mega Swing for all-ages play – providing even more opportunities for imaginative exploration, climbing and discovery throughout the playspace.
Together, these elements encourage children to move continuously through the playspace and support the building of confidence, coordination and problem-solving skills.
A neighbourhood gathering space alive with movement
Muka Park demonstrates the power of insight-driven playground design – where community aspirations, cultural storytelling and creative collaboration come together to shape spaces people genuinely connect with.
The playground caters to a wide range of ages and abilities, with age-zoned play areas, accessible surfacing, open grassed spaces, pathway and seating supporting both active play and relaxed family use.
Today, the park provides:
• A destination for imaginate and adventurous play
• Opportunities for social connection and intergenerational interaction
• Accessible play experiences for local families
• A playful community hub woven naturally into the landscape.
It is a playground designed not just for recreation – but for belonging.
This combination of bespoke detailing, sculptural timber forms and layered play experiences transforms the playground into something far beyond a standard neighbourhood park.
New Zealand playground design inspired by community, culture and connection
At Playground Centre, we collaborate with landscape architects, councils and developers across Auckland and New Zealand to deliver playground design and play equipment that responds to community identity, supports storytelling and creates more meaningful places to play.
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