Whitford Early Learning Centre Play Space

By Get Outside

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The Whitford Early Learning Centre provided us with an opportunity to design them a new, innovative play space in a challenging location. Nestled beside a steep bank, in summer, the play space was very hot for the children, due to it being exposed to the sun at the heat of the day and having minimal airflow. In winter, large trees sheltering the property from outside the boundary made the play space cold and shady. Our clients wanted to upgrade the old, original playground to make better use of the available space, to attune to the diverse climate, and to make it more interesting for the children using natural play materials.

Get Outside Ltd saw an opportunity to incorporate the unused steep terrain, creating terraces on the bank to make it accessible. These terraces were used to create a series of new pathways and circuits on the slope leading to play destinations including climbing rocks, a slide and a sandpit for the children. We introduced a tropical theme with shaggy thatching on the roofs of the play structures, so it became a cluster of Pacifica huts, with colourful planting to match.

We’re told the children love exploring the different spaces, and the steepness of the hill has been utilised to provide a good challenge for them to clamber up the rocks, paths and steps. It’s a natural play environment that makes use of the terrain, rather than using artificial play equipment and structures.

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Professionals used in
Whitford Early Learning Centre Play Space

Get Outside
Get Outside
Landscape Architects
- 2020

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Get Outside

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About the
Professional

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.