10 Conceptual Urban Playscapes: 5) Wynyard Playspace
“The 2010 ‘Auckland Public Life Survey’ declaimed the Queen City’s centre as “almost devoid of children”.
The playground at Wynyard Quarter was designed by Isthmus and built in time for the Rugby World Cup 2011. The design is based on
“an abstraction of the Waitematā sea floor”.
As an Auckland family, we love that Wynyard Playspace was conveniently built the year we had our first child. It is easy to get to either by train and a walk over the crossing bridge or with cheap or free parking right by the playground. There is also a cheap bus that runs to Britomart for those with tired legs. We used to go with a pram and now we take scooters. It’s easy to get around, there’s coffee (important!), public toilets in several locations and of course the playground.
“The playspace is a layered experience suitable for young people of all ages. There is potential for imaginative and creative play, accentuated through materials that encourage exploration, and experiential physical play, such as balancing, climbing, spinning and swinging.”
There are also two smaller play spaces just down Daldy St for a change of scene, one has a water play feature. Being welcomed into the city as a parent is good for our sense of belonging in Auckland. Going anywhere with small children is always a challenge, so to have a place where we can easily get around and entertain the whole family is a great day out for all of us and helps us to feel welcomed and a part of society.
Here's an actual quote by me from my Facebook memories after I had visited Wynyard Quarter for the first time (Lucas was 5 months old):
