The Ground
Situated in the heart of Howick, the local intermediate school which caters for 11, 12, and 13-year-olds, wanted a playground that would encourage socialisation among its Tamariki.

The school, which is near the coast and the busy thoroughfare of Pakuranga Road, needed its existing playground demolished and a concrete wall along the tennis court fence line removed before our team could install a new play space.

The Creation
The Playground Creations team kick started the project with a site visit to ensure we understood the space and got a feel for the environment we would be designing and constructing in. Working on a flat site, with synthetic surfacing that allows access for all, we divided the playground into three distinct areas and selected equipment that was going to challenge the age group well. This included elements for hanging out and socialising.

The Play
A 6m high Haemus Net is a key feature of the playground and encourages students to progressively play outside their comfort zone. Pause points at various heights allow children to build their confidence, with the ultimate goal to reach the top of the net. For those who want to stay and socialise at the base, a jungle rope offers interaction and opportunity to swing, clamber, and climb.

Other features of the Howick Intermediate School playground include circuit playground equipment with long C Challenges, Olympic and Gladiator Rings, Double Balance Rope, and two Spider Nets. Providing a safe surface underneath the entire play area is artificial turf, supplied and installed by project partners
Team Turf.

The outcome is a wonderfully creative new addition to the school’s facilities.