About this project

Thank you for your patience as we worked towards a final design for the George Denton play area, based on the predominant themes that came through public consultation.

We received 82 submissions, and Option 2 was the preferred design and so that is the design that we will be building.

  • 46 submissions or 56.1 % supporting option 2.
  • 20 submissions or 24.4 % supported option 1.
  • 16 submissions or 19.5 % did not register a preferred design, of which, 15 submissions or 18.3% either not support the renewal or questioned the timing of the renewal, with many citing cost considerations or perceptions around the condition of the equipment.
    • We are refurbishing a number of items to make the budget go further, including the exercise equipment, the springer seesaw, the Birds of Waimapihi panel play item, a fire truck module and the existing furniture.
    • Please note also that the play area has a number of areas of non-compliance to the current NZ Standards for Playground Equipment and Surfacing, and that is the primary driver of the renewal.
  • 70 submissions were received on voting around the existing exercise equipment, with 45 submissions or 64.3% of that vote, requesting the facility remain at George Denton play area.

The refurbished unit will be reinstalled in its current location, with the addition of safety surfacing.

We have then tried to accommodate additional requests where we can, these include:

  • Adding a seesaw to this design.
  • Adding stairs to the teepee slide unit.
  • Retaining the Birds of Waimapihi panel play to this design.
  • Adjusting the look and feel of the surfacing design, to be more in keeping with the natural setting.
  • We will be looking to add some deciduous trees for shade over the warmer months and will work with local community groups on this selection.

There were some requests that we were not able to accommodate, largely to do with budget constraints, the layout of the site, and trade-offs with other equipment.

Examples include:

  • Adding a toilet
  • Adding a drinking fountain
  • Adding a BBQ

Construction is planned for late January, and will be completed in early April.

More information

George Denton Park play area is a neighbourhood play area that is a handy place for a quick play. Typically, there will be play opportunities for at least one age group (ideally junior children as a minimum).  It is designed to service the local neighbourhood within approximately 600-metre walking distance and is likely to be located in neighbourhood parks.


We're renewing these play areas to make them an even better place to play. You can read more about Wellington City Council’s strategic vision and planning for play areas in Wellington in the Play Spaces Policy (2017).

For any other queries, email playgrounds@wcc.govt.nz.