Adventure playground takes shape

Right: A wire loop tunnel called ‘The Hang’ will allow the more adventurous students to crawl out of the tower at the top.

ADVENTURE

PLAYGROUND takes shape

With the recent removal of the majestic Norfolk pines between Centennial Building and the Junior School, Dio committed to turning the area into an outdoor learning and recreational play space for our Junior and Junior High School girls. Senior girls will also be able to utilise the modern playground equipment for sport strength training. Stryde Landscapes began work on the project on 6 December and although it was due for completion during the April holidays, this has been delayed because of the nationwide lockdown situation.

The concept was designed after workshops with the Junior School Enviro Council, staff, Board members and Boffa Miskell, our landscaping consultants. Our students told us they wanted musical instruments and a place to explore nature and gather with friends. They also wanted to have climbing frames, monkey bars and balance beams. Their main playground would have a huge tower with slides and be adventurous. These ideas formed the foundation of the detailed design, which features five different play elements over three sites.

The main tower structure and adjoining agility trail provide challenge, balance and strength building for the girls. This space will also be used by our many sporting teams for training before and after school. Much of this equipment has been fabricated in Europe and has many different elements to give variety in how the tower is accessed, for example by ropes, ladders, stairs, and climbing frames. There is an added wire loop tunnel called ‘The Hang’ which allows the more adventurous students to crawl out of the tower at the top – a first in any New Zealand playground.

At the end of the main play space is the music area where you will find the melodic Babel drum, bongos and xylophone. There are areas for students to gather with other instruments, and the new wave seating under the existing pagoda provides space for spectators.

From this area we are led by a zebra crossing into the woodland, which is designed for natural exploration. A trail through a mulch-based forest leads students to three gathering areas and along the way there are logs, balancing beams and boulders. Over time we will reintroduce our skink and weta farms for scientific study.

For our smaller students, there is a purpose-built playground with a wooden structure, bridge, slide and

“This huge new development, which sits over the space once occupied by two giant Norfolk pines, will provide endless hours of play and valuable learning for many years to come.”

climbing challenges. Adjacent to this will be our Stage II addition of a water play element. In order to maximise the play aspect, it will be accessible on all sides for multiple students to interact simultaneously. The equipment will comprise stainless steel basins, a water pump, Archimedes’ screw and water reticulation.

Taking some of our students through the playground during the construction, we were thrilled to hear squeals of delight as we entered the forest play space. Having never had access to this area, the girls were excited at having a natural wonderland to explore. They loved the secluded nooks and foresaw younger students making ‘potions’ and looking for fairies! Our girls couldn’t wait to get into the music space and looked forward to asking their beloved Miss Pardiwalla to have some music lessons outside. In fact, the girls are looking forward to using their ‘golden time’ to take a book outside for some quiet reading with so many different spaces to choose from. However, the biggest drawcard was the amazing five-metre tower with its stainless steel ‘Hang’. They couldn’t wait to scramble up and play their various games throughout the structure.

Diocesan gratefully acknowledges the Dio Parents and Friends’ Committee who have generously donated to this project, which is being carried out in two parts, with the water play element being installed later this year.

And if you are wondering what we did with the old playground, we gifted it to Te Papapa School in Onehunga.

See over the page for more images and details of the overall adventure playground area.

The main tower

The main tower structure and adjoining agility trail provide challenge, balance and strength Diocesan School for Girls building for the girls.

Diocesan School for Girls

Agility trail

This space will also be used by our many sporting teams for training before and after school.

The woodland forest

The woodland has been designed for natural exploration. A trail through a mulch-based forest leads students to three gathering areas and along the way there are logs, balancing beams and boulders.

Junior School playground

For our smaller students there is a purpose-built playground with a wooden structure, bridge, Diocesan School for Girls slide and climbing challenges. Play area

Diocesan School for Girls Play area

Water play feature

The Stage II addition of a water play element will be accessible on all sides for many students to interact simultaneously. The equipment will comprise stainless steel basins, a water pump, Archimedes’ screw and water reticulation.