In January 2023, Kaiwaka Can received a grant to explore the development of a skatepark facility at the new McLean 2022 park bordering Gibbons Road.
Initial site assessment from geotechnical supports a roll-play park provided that it does not impinge on the area immediately bordering the stream bank. Drainage is very important to consider. Our subsequent concept design has kept the proposed skatepark above the 100yr flood plain. Earthworks are to be kept to a minimum. Our design maximises flexibility and opportunities for future growth.
Community involvement has been sought and is always eagerly invited. Representation of both Maori and non-Maori communities is essential in our design. We want Kaiwaka to build on the good place we’re in culturally at the moment. This ‘good place’ and cultural strength we’ve built up has been family led.
We want the park to use stories to celebrate the families and communities who lived here before us. We will be including artful and tactile story telling devices around the park and along the riverside. We hope to capture some of the intangible, intrinsic value attached to our history and culture as a community.
Our vision is that we should involve the children in the design as much as possible. We want to let them tell our communities’ stories through their eyes and understandings, contributing artwork and participating wherever possible in the story telling. In this way we aim to strengthen our kids’ connections to the Kaiwaka area, to their homes and cultures, and thus build their future pride in their community.
Kaiwaka struggles to provide opportunities for children, and in particular we struggle to provide a focus for the older kids.
Although we are catering to all youth ages, the 10-16 year old age group is our particular priority in this skatepark design. This age bracket needs positive activities as well as distraction from negative influences. These Kids are increasingly mobile with bikes, scooters or skateboards.
We hope that the park may stimulate a positive context for youth to interact with the wider community. For example, a sponsored skate or scooter donation programme could help kids otherwise missing out.
The design will provide some scope for using the contoured area in other ways, too. For example, a mini-amphitheatre could provide a meeting space for the school, or for kids collaborating on particular outdoor activities. Ideally the park will support some learning activities.
As well as providing a focal point for Kaiwaka youth, we need to ensure that the park serves the wider community’s needs so they get more out of life. Younger children will be welcome to play safely near the skatepark. For local businesses’ staff, more tables would be helpful for break and lunch times. Seating areas and picnic tables will provide pleasant rest areas. We will ensure that shading is available for respite from summer heat.
Our intention is that this skatepark will help to keep families together in Kaiwaka, and will attract more families to live in Kaiwaka. Making Kaiwaka an even better place to be and to visit contributes to a sustainable future for the town.
Stay tuned to our channels for information and progress on this project!
