Playground upgrades in progress

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Playground Upgrades in Progress

Playground upgrades can enhance play opportunities, improve safety, and create more engaging spaces for children, young people, and their families. When we renew playgrounds, we do our best to keep them accessible, fun, and varied, ensuring they cater for a wide range of abilities and meet the needs of the community. We have set budgets for each playground upgrade and aim to maximise the play value.

Through our Open Space Strategy, we also identify areas that are lacking playgrounds, so we can plan for future development in the right places. This helps ensure all neighbourhoods have access to quality play spaces within walking distance. While we can't upgrade everything at once, we prioritise projects based on age, condition, community feedback, and how well they serve the surrounding area.

Concept planning

A concept plan focuses on a specific area and outlines what's proposed and where it could go. It looks at the best layout for facilities or activities in relation to each other and the surrounding environment. The concept plan reflects the community's vision for how the space should be used and aims to make the most of the site. This might include ideas for equipment, planting, or amenities to help bring that vision to life. A concept plan sits beneath the broader master plan, providing more detailed direction for a particular part of the space.

The draft concept plan for the playgrounds that are being renewed and developed this financial year (July 2025 to June 2026) include:

  • Clyma Park Playground Development
  • Speargrass Playground Upgrade (including removal of old skate bowl)

Ask a question

If you have a question that we haven't covered, you can ask us here and we'll do our best to respond as soon as possible. Please be concise and respectful in asking questions and note that some answers may take a bit longer as we work to get the details right.


Clyma Park Playground Development

Why Clyma Park?

Upper Hutt City Council's Open Spaces Strategy undertook a neighbourhood space audit to assess gaps. The analysis provides information on open spaces located in each neighbourhood, how the open space network is linked within the neighbourhood and where amendments would improve the network to provide open play spaces within a 10–15-minute walking radius from homes.

Site Suitability: Clyma Park presents an ideal location for playground development due to several key factors:

  • Safety and Security: The site is positioned away from traffic hazards and water risks, with limited entry and exit points providing natural supervision opportunities.
  • Community Integration: The park backs onto local schools and residential communities, maximizing accessibility and usage potential.
  • Visibility: Excellent sightlines across the space enhance safety and supervision capabilities.
  • Natural Environment: Existing green spaces and grassy areas provide opportunities for integrated nature-based play experiences.

Design Principles: The playground design is founded on three core Māori principles:

  • Manaakitanga: Creating a welcoming and inclusive playspace environment for users.
  • Whanaungatanga: Fostering connections between schools, families and community.
  • Taiao: Establishing meaningful connections with the natural environment.

Evidence-Based Design Approach:

Research demonstrates that activity in nature-based play environments provide significant benefits for people’s overall well-being. The calming effects of natural environments make them a preferred choice for family leisure pursuits.

Active playground equipment provides developmental benefits across physical, social, emotional, and cognitive domains. Physically, playground equipment develops coordination, balance, strength, and cardiovascular health while teaching risk assessment skills. Socially and emotionally, active play encourages cooperation, builds self-esteem and resilience, reduces anxiety through endorphin release, and creates leadership opportunities in mixed-age environments. Cognitively, navigating play structures enhances spatial reasoning, decision-making, creativity, concentration and supports self-regulation. (How Can Playground Equipment Benefit Kids? The Big 5 Benefits, https://www.huckplay.co.uk/)

Sample Playground Ideas

NB: These concepts are still evolving and will be refined as we progress through the planning process.

Active Play Zone
The primary activity area will contain most of the physical play equipment, including swings, climbing structures, slides, spinning equipment etc. This zone is designed to accommodate high-energy play and encourage physical development through varied equipment that challenges different skill levels and abilities.

Rotating Equipment
Rotating equipment provides opportunities to experience motion and develop their balance and coordination.

ACE Swing - 2 Bay
Ace Swings are very robust with a hot dipped galvanised finish that won’t chip, rust or fade. Set at heights for a range of ages and providing a much longer swing arc.

Sensory Panels
With multi-coloured, rotating balls the Abacus Panel enables sensory play activities that require observation, concentration and hand-eye coordination. Sensory rain panels are interactive wall-mounted or tabletop panels designed to provide visual and auditory stimulation.

Calming Zones
Designated quiet areas within the playspace will provide spaces to engage in quiet play, retreat during sensory overwhelm, and self-regulate in a safe environment. These zones will feature enclosed spaces such as cubbies, tunnels, or small whare structures.
Natural Integration
The play space setting is next to a community garden and vegetation to create varied levels of enclosure and openness to suit different play preferences and support local biodiversity.
Proposed Location
The proposed location is centrally positioned adjacent to both Maidstone Intermediate and Fraser Crescent Primary School, providing valuable green space between residential areas. Its location ensures visibility from all three park entry points.



Speargrass Park Playground

The Speargrass Park Community Playground is being replaced due to its condition and deterioration.

A community playground is a shared outdoor space within a community that features play equipment and elements of nature. They bring members of a community together while providing a place for children and adults to be active and enjoy time outdoors.

In July, we spoke with a group of tamariki aged 5–12 who live near the park. They shared what playground features matter most to them: slides, spinning equipment, swings, climbing nets, monkey bars, and plenty of bright colours!



Embarkment Slide
An embankment slide – complete with a launch platform is a great way to feature in the unused bank on the site … everyone loves a slide!


Rotating Gyroscope Large
Spinning playground equipment combines movement and motion with immersive play experiences to create an engaging experiences for tamariki.



ACE Swing - 2 Bay
Ace Swings are very robustwith a hot dipped galvanised finish that won’t chip, rust or fade. Set at heights for a range of ages and providing a much longer swing arc.


Play Structure Example 1
Play Structure Example 2

Abandoned Skate Park
The abandoned skate park located near the play area is currently undergoing cleanup efforts to remove a debris, with plans to restore the space back to its original grassy state. The local children have expressed excitement about this transformation, eagerly anticipating the opportunity to use the entire grassy area for recreational activities such as rolling down the bank and riding their bicycles across the expanded open space.

Proposed Location

Playground Upgrades in Progress

Playground upgrades can enhance play opportunities, improve safety, and create more engaging spaces for children, young people, and their families. When we renew playgrounds, we do our best to keep them accessible, fun, and varied, ensuring they cater for a wide range of abilities and meet the needs of the community. We have set budgets for each playground upgrade and aim to maximise the play value.

Through our Open Space Strategy, we also identify areas that are lacking playgrounds, so we can plan for future development in the right places. This helps ensure all neighbourhoods have access to quality play spaces within walking distance. While we can't upgrade everything at once, we prioritise projects based on age, condition, community feedback, and how well they serve the surrounding area.

Concept planning

A concept plan focuses on a specific area and outlines what's proposed and where it could go. It looks at the best layout for facilities or activities in relation to each other and the surrounding environment. The concept plan reflects the community's vision for how the space should be used and aims to make the most of the site. This might include ideas for equipment, planting, or amenities to help bring that vision to life. A concept plan sits beneath the broader master plan, providing more detailed direction for a particular part of the space.

The draft concept plan for the playgrounds that are being renewed and developed this financial year (July 2025 to June 2026) include:

  • Clyma Park Playground Development
  • Speargrass Playground Upgrade (including removal of old skate bowl)

Ask a question

If you have a question that we haven't covered, you can ask us here and we'll do our best to respond as soon as possible. Please be concise and respectful in asking questions and note that some answers may take a bit longer as we work to get the details right.


Clyma Park Playground Development

Why Clyma Park?

Upper Hutt City Council's Open Spaces Strategy undertook a neighbourhood space audit to assess gaps. The analysis provides information on open spaces located in each neighbourhood, how the open space network is linked within the neighbourhood and where amendments would improve the network to provide open play spaces within a 10–15-minute walking radius from homes.

Site Suitability: Clyma Park presents an ideal location for playground development due to several key factors:

  • Safety and Security: The site is positioned away from traffic hazards and water risks, with limited entry and exit points providing natural supervision opportunities.
  • Community Integration: The park backs onto local schools and residential communities, maximizing accessibility and usage potential.
  • Visibility: Excellent sightlines across the space enhance safety and supervision capabilities.
  • Natural Environment: Existing green spaces and grassy areas provide opportunities for integrated nature-based play experiences.

Design Principles: The playground design is founded on three core Māori principles:

  • Manaakitanga: Creating a welcoming and inclusive playspace environment for users.
  • Whanaungatanga: Fostering connections between schools, families and community.
  • Taiao: Establishing meaningful connections with the natural environment.

Evidence-Based Design Approach:

Research demonstrates that activity in nature-based play environments provide significant benefits for people’s overall well-being. The calming effects of natural environments make them a preferred choice for family leisure pursuits.

Active playground equipment provides developmental benefits across physical, social, emotional, and cognitive domains. Physically, playground equipment develops coordination, balance, strength, and cardiovascular health while teaching risk assessment skills. Socially and emotionally, active play encourages cooperation, builds self-esteem and resilience, reduces anxiety through endorphin release, and creates leadership opportunities in mixed-age environments. Cognitively, navigating play structures enhances spatial reasoning, decision-making, creativity, concentration and supports self-regulation. (How Can Playground Equipment Benefit Kids? The Big 5 Benefits, https://www.huckplay.co.uk/)

Sample Playground Ideas

NB: These concepts are still evolving and will be refined as we progress through the planning process.

Active Play Zone
The primary activity area will contain most of the physical play equipment, including swings, climbing structures, slides, spinning equipment etc. This zone is designed to accommodate high-energy play and encourage physical development through varied equipment that challenges different skill levels and abilities.

Rotating Equipment
Rotating equipment provides opportunities to experience motion and develop their balance and coordination.

ACE Swing - 2 Bay
Ace Swings are very robust with a hot dipped galvanised finish that won’t chip, rust or fade. Set at heights for a range of ages and providing a much longer swing arc.

Sensory Panels
With multi-coloured, rotating balls the Abacus Panel enables sensory play activities that require observation, concentration and hand-eye coordination. Sensory rain panels are interactive wall-mounted or tabletop panels designed to provide visual and auditory stimulation.

Calming Zones
Designated quiet areas within the playspace will provide spaces to engage in quiet play, retreat during sensory overwhelm, and self-regulate in a safe environment. These zones will feature enclosed spaces such as cubbies, tunnels, or small whare structures.
Natural Integration
The play space setting is next to a community garden and vegetation to create varied levels of enclosure and openness to suit different play preferences and support local biodiversity.
Proposed Location
The proposed location is centrally positioned adjacent to both Maidstone Intermediate and Fraser Crescent Primary School, providing valuable green space between residential areas. Its location ensures visibility from all three park entry points.



Speargrass Park Playground

The Speargrass Park Community Playground is being replaced due to its condition and deterioration.

A community playground is a shared outdoor space within a community that features play equipment and elements of nature. They bring members of a community together while providing a place for children and adults to be active and enjoy time outdoors.

In July, we spoke with a group of tamariki aged 5–12 who live near the park. They shared what playground features matter most to them: slides, spinning equipment, swings, climbing nets, monkey bars, and plenty of bright colours!



Embarkment Slide
An embankment slide – complete with a launch platform is a great way to feature in the unused bank on the site … everyone loves a slide!


Rotating Gyroscope Large
Spinning playground equipment combines movement and motion with immersive play experiences to create an engaging experiences for tamariki.



ACE Swing - 2 Bay
Ace Swings are very robustwith a hot dipped galvanised finish that won’t chip, rust or fade. Set at heights for a range of ages and providing a much longer swing arc.


Play Structure Example 1
Play Structure Example 2

Abandoned Skate Park
The abandoned skate park located near the play area is currently undergoing cleanup efforts to remove a debris, with plans to restore the space back to its original grassy state. The local children have expressed excitement about this transformation, eagerly anticipating the opportunity to use the entire grassy area for recreational activities such as rolling down the bank and riding their bicycles across the expanded open space.

Proposed Location

Ask a question

If you have a question that we haven't covered, you can ask us here and we'll do our best to respond as soon as possible. Please be concise and respectful in asking questions, and note that some answers may take a bit longer as we work to get the details right.

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  • Share Is there any consideration for the installation of a liberty swing for people living with disabilities and need to use a wheelchair to mobilise. on Facebook Share Is there any consideration for the installation of a liberty swing for people living with disabilities and need to use a wheelchair to mobilise. on Twitter Share Is there any consideration for the installation of a liberty swing for people living with disabilities and need to use a wheelchair to mobilise. on Linkedin Email Is there any consideration for the installation of a liberty swing for people living with disabilities and need to use a wheelchair to mobilise. link

    Is there any consideration for the installation of a liberty swing for people living with disabilities and need to use a wheelchair to mobilise.

    Jo H asked about 1 month ago

    Although Liberty swings were designed with good intentions, they often fall short of being truly inclusive.

    Because they’re large, locked, and often require a key or assistance to use, they can make children feel singled out rather than included. They also separate children with mobility needs from the rest of the playground, instead of encouraging play alongside their peers.

    Inclusive designs not only make playgrounds accessible to all children but also foster a sense of community and belonging, promote shared play, and remove barriers to participation.

  • Share Hi, what about including a Liberty swing at one of the sites for people who use wheelchairs who have very limited play options at playgrounds? There are many people in Lower and Upper Hutt who use wheelchairs who would welcome more inclusive playground options for them, both children and adults on Facebook Share Hi, what about including a Liberty swing at one of the sites for people who use wheelchairs who have very limited play options at playgrounds? There are many people in Lower and Upper Hutt who use wheelchairs who would welcome more inclusive playground options for them, both children and adults on Twitter Share Hi, what about including a Liberty swing at one of the sites for people who use wheelchairs who have very limited play options at playgrounds? There are many people in Lower and Upper Hutt who use wheelchairs who would welcome more inclusive playground options for them, both children and adults on Linkedin Email Hi, what about including a Liberty swing at one of the sites for people who use wheelchairs who have very limited play options at playgrounds? There are many people in Lower and Upper Hutt who use wheelchairs who would welcome more inclusive playground options for them, both children and adults link

    Hi, what about including a Liberty swing at one of the sites for people who use wheelchairs who have very limited play options at playgrounds? There are many people in Lower and Upper Hutt who use wheelchairs who would welcome more inclusive playground options for them, both children and adults

    AliceT asked about 1 month ago

    Although Liberty swings were designed with good intentions, they often fall short of being truly inclusive.

    Because they’re large, locked, and often require a key or assistance to use, they can make children feel singled out rather than included. They also separate children with mobility needs from the rest of the playground, instead of encouraging play alongside their peers.

    Inclusive designs not only make playgrounds accessible to all children but also foster a sense of community and belonging, promote shared play, and remove barriers to participation.

  • Share The drawing shows dotted lines crossing park across with and length are these fences or paths? on Facebook Share The drawing shows dotted lines crossing park across with and length are these fences or paths? on Twitter Share The drawing shows dotted lines crossing park across with and length are these fences or paths? on Linkedin Email The drawing shows dotted lines crossing park across with and length are these fences or paths? link

    The drawing shows dotted lines crossing park across with and length are these fences or paths?

    magpie asked 28 days ago

    Hi there, the dotted lines outline the boundaries of the park. Thanks!

  • Share Hi question around shades and sun cover. Understandable some areas are too large to cover the whole playground but will it be looked into to cover more of the seating/eating areas and random areas of the playground (Maidstone, TMP and Harcourt Park particularly). Summer in UH burns and it would be great sun safety and to help with the heat to have additional areas with cover. on Facebook Share Hi question around shades and sun cover. Understandable some areas are too large to cover the whole playground but will it be looked into to cover more of the seating/eating areas and random areas of the playground (Maidstone, TMP and Harcourt Park particularly). Summer in UH burns and it would be great sun safety and to help with the heat to have additional areas with cover. on Twitter Share Hi question around shades and sun cover. Understandable some areas are too large to cover the whole playground but will it be looked into to cover more of the seating/eating areas and random areas of the playground (Maidstone, TMP and Harcourt Park particularly). Summer in UH burns and it would be great sun safety and to help with the heat to have additional areas with cover. on Linkedin Email Hi question around shades and sun cover. Understandable some areas are too large to cover the whole playground but will it be looked into to cover more of the seating/eating areas and random areas of the playground (Maidstone, TMP and Harcourt Park particularly). Summer in UH burns and it would be great sun safety and to help with the heat to have additional areas with cover. link

    Hi question around shades and sun cover. Understandable some areas are too large to cover the whole playground but will it be looked into to cover more of the seating/eating areas and random areas of the playground (Maidstone, TMP and Harcourt Park particularly). Summer in UH burns and it would be great sun safety and to help with the heat to have additional areas with cover.

    Emma Findlay asked about 1 month ago

    Sun safety is a priority, particularly during Upper Hutt's intense summer months. Our plans consider shade structures and strategic tree planting to create covered areas, as part of the wider park development for Clyma Park.

  • Share Will there be a concrete pathway added into your design to access from Clyma Street through to the playground and from fraser crescent side pass the community gardens to get to the playground, as it is a mission to push a buggy across the grass, an it would be a mission for someone with a wheelchair, it would help with access. Wondering if there was an option to look at adding a concrete pathway at the McLeod Street park aswell as going across the grass is a mission no super friendly to be accessed. on Facebook Share Will there be a concrete pathway added into your design to access from Clyma Street through to the playground and from fraser crescent side pass the community gardens to get to the playground, as it is a mission to push a buggy across the grass, an it would be a mission for someone with a wheelchair, it would help with access. Wondering if there was an option to look at adding a concrete pathway at the McLeod Street park aswell as going across the grass is a mission no super friendly to be accessed. on Twitter Share Will there be a concrete pathway added into your design to access from Clyma Street through to the playground and from fraser crescent side pass the community gardens to get to the playground, as it is a mission to push a buggy across the grass, an it would be a mission for someone with a wheelchair, it would help with access. Wondering if there was an option to look at adding a concrete pathway at the McLeod Street park aswell as going across the grass is a mission no super friendly to be accessed. on Linkedin Email Will there be a concrete pathway added into your design to access from Clyma Street through to the playground and from fraser crescent side pass the community gardens to get to the playground, as it is a mission to push a buggy across the grass, an it would be a mission for someone with a wheelchair, it would help with access. Wondering if there was an option to look at adding a concrete pathway at the McLeod Street park aswell as going across the grass is a mission no super friendly to be accessed. link

    Will there be a concrete pathway added into your design to access from Clyma Street through to the playground and from fraser crescent side pass the community gardens to get to the playground, as it is a mission to push a buggy across the grass, an it would be a mission for someone with a wheelchair, it would help with access. Wondering if there was an option to look at adding a concrete pathway at the McLeod Street park aswell as going across the grass is a mission no super friendly to be accessed.

    Harriette asked about 1 month ago

    We recognise the importance of accessible pathways for families with buggies, wheelchair users, and people with mobility challenges. Pathways from key access points are being considered as part of our design approach as part of the wider park development for Clyma Park.

  • Share When will fences get put up around playgrounds? For mum’s like me with twins, or just multiple children in general. We feel that playgrounds need fences around them. Especially playgrounds for under 5 year olds. on Facebook Share When will fences get put up around playgrounds? For mum’s like me with twins, or just multiple children in general. We feel that playgrounds need fences around them. Especially playgrounds for under 5 year olds. on Twitter Share When will fences get put up around playgrounds? For mum’s like me with twins, or just multiple children in general. We feel that playgrounds need fences around them. Especially playgrounds for under 5 year olds. on Linkedin Email When will fences get put up around playgrounds? For mum’s like me with twins, or just multiple children in general. We feel that playgrounds need fences around them. Especially playgrounds for under 5 year olds. link

    When will fences get put up around playgrounds? For mum’s like me with twins, or just multiple children in general. We feel that playgrounds need fences around them. Especially playgrounds for under 5 year olds.

    JayshreeM asked about 1 month ago

    We understand parents' concerns about playground security, especially for families with multiple children or children with special needs. Fencing decisions require careful evaluation on a project-by-project basis, as each site presents unique circumstances.

    Our approach focuses on creating secure play spaces without restrictive enclosures. We consider natural barriers like hedges and plantings that can provide effective containment, particularly for younger children, while maintaining an open, welcoming feel. The goal is to slow children down and enhance supervision opportunities rather than create barriers.

Page last updated: 03 Sep 2025, 09:24 AM