Fun, laughter, thrills and spills in Te Awamutu

Opportunities are endless for children with an hour or two to spare at the bike skills park and playground in Te Awamutu’s ‘the Hub’ – heritage, culture and recreation in the town centre.

Even adults love a playground. For our landscape architects and civil engineers, it was a team effort. Combining imaginative vision with engineered elements, we pooled ideas to create a playground with a difference that is the envy of children and parents for miles around.

The Pop’n’Good bike skills park captivates a range of ages; a ‘pump’ track improves confidence and riding skills for speedsters, while beginners become familiar with the rules of the road on an easy learn-to-ride course.

Traditional playground equipment such as slides and climbing frames are supplemented with novel features to entice the senses – a water play area complete with canal, rocks, dams, a water pump, sounds and music. Under-5s are safe in a dedicated play area, and parents can relax under shade sales and large trees.

Formal and informal play are integrated seamlessly through clever use of plantings, and the central pathway links traditional play areas with those designed for exploration and challenge. Natural and man-made elements such as a retaining wall, stream and steep topography are embedded into the park for those seeking adventure.

The park and playground integrate fun with nature, imagination with learning, skills with adventure. Who would want to miss it?