It’s great to see the concept on paper come to life … the new equipment has been well thought out with the exposed coastal environment, the high water table, sandy soil conditions, UV aging and the overall whole of life costs.”
Council Project Manager
Coastal play shaped by community
Set beside beautiful Taramea Bay, the Riverton Aparima Playground is a key step in the area’s staged redevelopment. Playground Centre partnered with Southland District Council to redesign and upgrade the space, with local consultation at its heart from the start – including the children and families at Riverton Primary School. The result is a coastal destination that attracts locals and visitors, supports nearby businesses and is an important part of daily life around the bay.
One message from the community was clear: keep the much-loved pirate ship. The structure was carefully refurbished to modern play standards, keeping a familiar focal point while connecting it to new elements that add energy, accessibility and more ways to play together. The goal was inclusive, seaside fun for everyone – turning the playground into a major drawcard for the wider waterfront.
Designed together, to play together
Children can now choose to play in many different ways, side by side. A custom Beach Shop play module adds a relaxed, local flavour and invites imaginative interaction. Active features like a Wave Rider, stepping logs, balance beams and scramble nets offer climbing, swinging, spinning and balancing to boost confidence and skills with every move. Inclusive carousels, a basket swing and accessible pathway from the carpark ensure more families can enjoy the space together.
Materials and finishes were selected for the beachfront setting: chosen to handle sand, sun and sea air with natural timber looks and textures that complement the surrounding landscape.
As the first stage of a wider plan, future upgrades will add a youth oriented zone, riparian planting and track connections, strengthening the foreshore as a connected community and visitor hub.
Design and build a playspace that makes your community proud
Playground Centre partners with councils and communities across Southland, including Riverton/Aparima, and throughout Aotearoa New Zealand – to create inclusive playgrounds that reflect local character and draw people together.
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