Tamahere Park Playground

Project: Tamahere Park Playground
Client: Waikato District Council

The Ground

On the outskirts of Hamilton is the picturesque community of Tamahere. Known for its great cafes, artisan food and Christmas markets, and thriving community, Tamahere is a popular location for families. The only thing missing was a playground!

When the undeveloped piece of land at the end of Wiremu Tamihana Drive was transformed into a community hub, a vibrant and interactive playground was a key component of the design. The team at Playground Creations helped bring it to life.

The Creation

Designed by Boffa Miskell Landscape Architects as part of a larger Tamahere Village, Piazza and Recreation Reserve concept, Tamahere Park Playground was designed with the local community in mind.

Paying homage to the area’s rich rural history and the values and narratives of mana whenua, Boffa Miskell had a vision of creating a community hub that encouraged congregation, conversation and engagement.

Staying true to the design ethos, our team supplied and installed play equipment that fostered communal play.

The Play

The backbone of the playground is a large mound, inspired by the shape of the eel (tuna) that live in the nearby Waikato River. Creating opportunities for sliding, climbing, scaling and jumping, the mound is a colourful centrepiece to the space.

A nearby spaghetti structure reflects the pathway of the local awa and provides an exciting apparatus on which children of all ages can climb and slide. Additional components include the popular Roktopus Mouse House, rockers, spinners, and percussion play.

Opened – and tested – by students of nearby Tamahere Model Country School, the playground was given the seal of approval and today continues to be an amazing play space for a community that wanted something different. 

This fun playground was brought to life by: Waikato District Council, Boffa Miskell Landscape Architects, Foster Develop, and Foster Construction.