FAQs

The Willowbank Reserve play area is over 23 years old, and some of its equipment is showing non-compliance with current safety standards. 

Renewing the Willowbank Reserve play area also gives Council the opportunity to expand the kinds of experiences it offers. Creating a more accessible play space for Wellingtonians of various ages and abilities is one example of this, as well as offering more contemporary play opportunities (sensory play, nature play).

This first phase of engagement aims to understand how tamariki and their whānau use the current Willowbank Reserve play area, and what they would like to see in a new play area. 

Knowing who visits the park, how often they visit, and their preferred ways to play will help shape the design brief for this renewal. A short survey and in-person engagement is being used to gather information and ideas, from the people who know this place best.

Each play area renewal that the Council undertakes will consider the overall site, as well as the condition of the equipment. At Willowbank Reserve, one of the possible improvements identified by Council is to change its location. 

The preferred new site for the play area is currently designated as an off-leash dog exercise area. The Council has therefore decided to wait to propose the relocation of the Willowbank Reserve play area until we understand how dog owners feel about moving the exercise area. A question about this has been included in the Dog Policy Review consultation, which ends at 5pm on Wednesday 18 October 2023.

Instead of waiting for the Dog Policy Review to end, the Rima survey was opened in the meantime, so that Council can better understand the play aspirations of the Tawa community. This is the first phase of the Willowbank Reserve play area engagement. The second phase will be complete once we have examined the Dog Policy consultation responses about moving the Willowbank Reserve dog exercise area. 

The next phase for this project will be a formal consultation, where respondents will be shown the final concept design (inspired by the engagement with children and whānau), and officially asked about their location preferences.

Council officers have assessed Willowbank Reserve and believe that there are several key benefits to moving the play area. 

• Better visibility from surrounding residences to keep tamariki and the new playground safe
• Greater provision for accessible play equipment, particularly for those users with mobility challenges
• Better access from the existing car park and bike racks
• Closer to public toilets and a drinking fountain
• Existing natural shade from nearby trees

The play area will only be relocated if the dog owners that use the affected exercise area are willing to have it moved, and if current play area users show a clear preference for relocation in the third phase of engagement. 

After the Rima survey closes at 5pm on Monday 23 October, our Play team will consider the feedback from the engagement with children and their whānau and use these insights to brief our play area designers. 

After concept design has been completed, formal consultation will be opened to gather feedback on the draft play area design. This is also where we will ask for the community’s preferred location. 

Further information explaining these choices will be offered, and Council will be in touch with the community during the consultation phase using email, website, letterbox drop and social media.

Play is the work of children! 

They are the experts in what they enjoy and what challenges they want from a play area. We value getting it right and believe that children and their families are the experts of play. Ideas from children help to shape our design brief, so we are more likely to design a play area valued by a range of children, for years to come. 

By engaging with a broad range of users, we can consider accessibility needs early in the renewal process.