April 27, 2026
A long-awaited $330,000 upgrade of the children’s playground at the Ashburton Domain started this week.
The seven-week, $338,250 upgrade project will see new equipment added and some long-standing items, like the elephant, relocated.
Ashburton District Council’s community and open spaces group manager Toni Durham said it will be a busy few weeks at the domain with contractors Rooney Earthmoving working on the playground and next door Tarbotton’s Land and Civil is building the new bike skills park.
The upgrade involves a new mouse wheel and regrouping of other play equipment, as well as the installation of new tables and seats.
A new accessible area will be created close to the carpark, and new tables and seats will be installed in the play area.
The playground edging will also be renewed, as well as paving, softfall, and mulch.
The fort, tractor, and double basket swing will remain, while the elephant climbing frame and rocking horse will be relocated.
Other new elements include a seesaw, slide and twister.
Council’s 30-year Ashburton Domain redevelopment Plan, signed off in 2020, had plans for an overhaul, and its need was highlighted by an audit in 2022.
Park Central, the national playground compliance specialists, recommended the entire Domain playground be “reviewed and an overall plan/design is put in place”.
The report stated that various playground items and equipment “have been added into the play space in an ad hoc manner” and “the surfaces are scattered through the area without any cohesion”.
It also stated that the raised wooden edging was an accessibility issue.
Durham said the main driver for the playground refresh is the domain development plan, while “the audit's recommendations have helped inform the project's design”.
The upgrade is a one-off project at this stage, Durham said.
“We currently have no budget for further work.
“A second phase, linking the playground to the bike skills park, is possible, but would require funding approval from council through the next long-term plan.”
Durham said sections of the playground will remain open for use during the work.
“We know the playground is a favourite spot for families and we’re doing this upgrade in the colder months when it is used slightly less.
“We’re still planning to have some play equipment available for use during the upgrade, and the flying fox will be running nearby.”
By Jonathan Leask
A long-awaited $330,000 upgrade of the children’s playground at the Ashburton Domain started this week.
The seven-week, $338,250 upgrade project will see new equipment added and some long-standing items, like the elephant, relocated.
Ashburton District Council’s community and open spaces group manager Toni Durham said it will be a busy few weeks at the domain with contractors Rooney Earthmoving working on the playground and next door Tarbotton’s Land and Civil is building the new bike skills park.
The upgrade involves a new mouse wheel and regrouping of other play equipment, as well as the installation of new tables and seats.
A new accessible area will be created close to the carpark, and new tables and seats will be installed in the play area.
The playground edging will also be renewed, as well as paving, softfall, and mulch.
The fort, tractor, and double basket swing will remain, while the elephant climbing frame and rocking horse will be relocated.
Other new elements include a seesaw, slide and twister.
Council’s 30-year Ashburton Domain redevelopment Plan, signed off in 2020, had plans for an overhaul, and its need was highlighted by an audit in 2022.
Park Central, the national playground compliance specialists, recommended the entire Domain playground be “reviewed and an overall plan/design is put in place”.
The report stated that various playground items and equipment “have been added into the play space in an ad hoc manner” and “the surfaces are scattered through the area without any cohesion”.
It also stated that the raised wooden edging was an accessibility issue.
Durham said the main driver for the playground refresh is the domain development plan, while “the audit's recommendations have helped inform the project's design”.
The upgrade is a one-off project at this stage, Durham said.
“We currently have no budget for further work.
“A second phase, linking the playground to the bike skills park, is possible, but would require funding approval from council through the next long-term plan.”
Durham said sections of the playground will remain open for use during the work.
“We know the playground is a favourite spot for families and we’re doing this upgrade in the colder months when it is used slightly less.
“We’re still planning to have some play equipment available for use during the upgrade, and the flying fox will be running nearby.”
By Jonathan Leask
