Koroī / Clayburn Reserve Playground

It celebrates our local history, nature and the importance of shared spaces.”

Mark Allen | Chair of Waitākere Ranges Local Board

A playspace designed with community at its heart

So significant is the Clayburn Reserve Playground to the community that the wāhi tākaro (play area) was gifted the name Koroī by Te Kawerau ā Maki, the local Māori iwi and mana whenua of the area. The name references the cone from the kauri forests, once abundant in the reserve which lies in West Auckland, a short drive from the CBD.

The former empty patch of land in Glen Eden is now a joyful hub welcoming all ages and abilities into an inclusive, intergenerational space for play and recreation.

Playground Centre worked alongside the local council, schools and community leaders to design a compact and well-connected park which lies adjacent to townhouses and nearby apartments. Already Koroī has become a cherished part of the community’s natural and cultural landscape.

Connection and celebration

When Playground Centre was approached by the Auckland Council to help design a playground which would connect the community, we thought deeply and carefully about the project and the insights gained from community consultation.

We listened to local leaders of Te Kawerau ā Maki, as well as students and teachers from Glen Eden Primary School, to find out what residents were seeking from their new playspace. We also examined other playgrounds in the area to identify how this playspace could fill any gaps in the wider play network.

What emerged was that older children were lacking places to play in West Auckland – and that it was essential to make sure the new playground was inclusive for every type of user. We imagined a place that would be inspired by and integrated into the natural environment.

Screen-free activity

One of the areas of Koroī the community is most proud of is its youth zone, with a half-court for basketball, set to the side of the park and intentionally designed so that older children can make it their place for social interaction and games.

Teens are welcome in the main playground too, where equipment was purposefully selected to entice them to join the fun. This includes the giant Dancing Snake Swing that rotates around a maypole that can be swung on or spun around. And a treehouse and adventure course for challenging play that features a log bridge connecting two timber treehouses.

A place for everyone

Inter-generational movement, connection and inclusion was a priority in Koroī park’s design. Around 10 per cent of children aged 0-14 in New Zealand live with a disability, and the goal was to design a playground which removes barriers to allow all people (whatever age or ability) to enjoy the outdoors together.

One of the highlights of the playground is the learn-to-ride track, which has become a favourite because it encourages bike-riders and carers with prams as well as wheelchair users and those with mobility aids to explore the park:

• Pathways and surfaces are accessible and easy-to-navigate.
• A variety of play areas around the track offer different social, emotional, physical and sensory experiences.
• An accessible carousel means everyone can smile as they capture that carefree ‘roundabout feeling’.

Koroī has been thoughtfully designed for younger tamariki and whānau too, including a lovely timber-frame slide, swing with inclusive basket, and three interactive play panels with tumble ball, three-in-a-row and noughts and crosses games.

The playground also provides a shaded picnic area and other seating, encouraging families with different-aged children to stay and play in the outdoors together for longer, and clear sightlines for whanau and caregivers to keep a watchful eye on their tamariki while they play.

Placemaking a playground

Koroī is overlooked by neighbourhood houses and established trees so the playground reflects both man-made and natural elements. The timber towers on the large and small treehouses mirror surrounding trees which stand proud over the space. And the muted green and orange colour-scheme connects the different areas of the playground with each other and with nature.

It all adds up to a thriving meeting hub which will grow through its community, evolving into a place of pride for its diverse users who come together to be included (whakauru mai).

Cultural respect, community engagement and technical expertise: New Zealand’s Playground Centre is a leader in designing and developing community playgrounds

Our 30+ years of experience means Playground Centre has the capability to successfully design and build thriving community spaces. We help councils select quality equipment which we manufacture and supply. We respect the natural environment as well as cultural tradition, which allows us to consistently deliver outstanding playspaces designed for and with the community in Auckland, New Zealand – and beyond.