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Nature Play Area at Brooker Ave
Type of project: Design-Driven Project, Community
Collaborator: Avon Ōtākaro Forest Park, Hummingbird Coffee
Sponsors/Funders: Christchurch City Council, TreeTech,
Location: Brooker Ave
Completed: Due for completion June 2024
Status: Active
The Green Lab, in partnership with the Avon-Ōtākaro Forest Park and Hummingbird Coffee Roasters, is building a nature play area that promotes access to nature and a deeper connection to the environment.
The site will be an educational hub, encouraging an understanding and appreciation of the diverse biodiversity found within its boundaries. The surrounding area of the site is important to local Ngāi Tahu hapū and whānau. It was part of an extensive network of wetlands around the New Brighton suburb. The area is traditionally known as Ōruapaeroa.
The Green Lab creates urban green spaces that support strong social connections and promote wellbeing in Ōtautahi Christchurch. Our green spaces enable community building and connect people with nature in the urban environment.
The project, yet to be named, is due for completion in autumn 2024 and will be maintained by Avon-Ōtākaro Forest Park.
The Concept:
Work in progress. See the Sensory Nature Play area being created step-by-step.
June 2024: The Green Lab, in partnership with the Avon-Ōtākaro Forest Park and Hummingbird, has built a nature play area that promotes access to nature and a deeper connection to the environment.
Come and explore this new space and celebrate its completion on Sunday 9 June at 10am. There will be a blessing, followed by the chance to have a go at weed-mat weaving, build a insect hotel, create unique sounds on an installation by students at The University of Canterbury and enjoy a FREE Hummingbird coffee between 9 – 11am!
The nature play space is designed to engage all senses, providing a multi-sensory experience for visitors, including a sound garden, a creation table for kids and a sensory rope trail garden. The site will be an educational hub, encouraging an understanding and appreciation of the diverse biodiversity found within its boundaries. This park has been designed to have minimal impact on the environment, embodying sustainable practices – from re-using coffee sacks to support with prepping the garden beds to the rope for the sensory garden being donated by a local fishery.
June 2024: work is almost complete on the nature play, due to open on 9 June.
Shout out to Robbie from ATF Vision South Island, who gave up his Saturday to move this tree stump to our Sensory Nature Play at Brooker Ave.
We’re ticking off the last jobs on the list before the Launch Day on Sunday 9 June. Come and see what we, and many wonderful helpers, have created!
February 2024: Our Director Bridget, and Carmel McSherry have started work on a mural to add fun and interest to the tunnel. It features some of our treasured butterflies and moths and the plants they depend on to thrive.
January 2024: Temporary “work in progress” signage installed.
January 2024: Thanks to Conservation Volunteers for their mahi to install a tunnel through the Sensory Nature Play
