Joyce Fisher Preschool Play Space

By Get Outside

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The Joyce Fisher Centre caters for a maximum of 20 children, some of whom are hearing impaired and have language difficulties. The brief from our clients for this play space was inspired by Cornwall Park, where teachers noticed the children deeply engaged with play and communication in a natural environment. They requested to have no plastic or artificial materials at all, but instead to use only natural materials including water, logs, boulders, sand and mud to provide a stimulating play environment that explores both the physical dimensions and the rich language of the outdoors.

The concept was to create different outdoor play “rooms” in this small area, interconnected with stepping paths through planted areas using different natural materials so that there is a journey of challenge and discovery to engage children with all of the available space.

Elements such as a mud kitchen, stepping blocks and logs, a mound with a whare on the top, a boulder water play area running down into the sand area, a water pump and a wobbly log bridge, were incorporated. The large interesting logs for the children to climb on are a special feature of the play space. The fact that there is no prescribed way to use this playground encourages and promotes conversation, teamwork, interaction and imagination.

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Professionals used in
Joyce Fisher Preschool Play Space

Get Outside
Get Outside
Landscape Architects
- 2020

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Get Outside

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About the
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Get Outside is a multi-award-winning landscape architectural practice, specialising since 2004 in landscape design of outdoor play and learning environments for children and their whānau.

We enjoy designing landscapes for people of all ages to enjoy living and playing in, including residential design. The environments we live in hugely impact on the quality of our life experiences, our well-being, and our delight in and connection with the world around us. We believe all children need the opportunity to explore natural environments and to simultaneously encounter acceptable risk in order to realise their own potential and confidently engage with the world around them. What is good for children is good for all of us!

We work with schools, early childhood centres, local authorities, businesses, private clients, iwi and whānau to revitalise and develop beautiful, nature-rich play spaces and gardens that support physical activity and learning outdoors. All our designs respond thoughtfully to the unique attributes and stories of a place and the aspirations of local communities to achieve the best outcomes for our tamariki, rangatahi and their whānau.

We are happy to work at any scale and offer a fully professional landscape architectural service from concept design through detailed documentation and planting design to contract management and overseeing the implementation of our plans to ensure a good outcome.