The playground, toilet and carpark at the Woodend Domain need to be upgraded due to the deteriorating infrastructure and safety concerns.

Investigations into the state of the playground at the Domain began in 2018 and revealed that the playground’s low-lying location made it prone to flooding, especially in winter, making it hard to access and causing the equipment to deteriorate. The playground now needs to be replaced.

The toilet, while raised from flood level, is also in poor condition and raises significant safety issues as an attractive spot for antisocial behaviour.

The carpark is now also up for replacement with the surface covered in potholes and ongoing drainage issues. More importantly, the arrangement of the parking areas is confusing, especially the area closest to the toilet which is a strange shape with no clear alignment for parking.

Design and Planning Team Leader, Grant Stephens says the Council has approved funding for this financial year as part of the Long Term Plan to complete all three projects simultaneously.

"This will ensure that the upgrades are well-integrated, future-proofed against environmental challenges such as flooding, and align with the community’s vision for the area," says Grant.

Playspace

A key step was identifying a suitable location for the new play space to ensure a long life span. We’re proposing creating a coastal dune play space along the beach access path. This concept would use the natural shape of the dunes to include features like forts, slides, and a flying fox, making it a distinctive attraction for the region.

"While more traditional play elements have been included in the design, the space is highly focused on providing opportunities for natural play and to create a sense of invitation to explore the wider space," says Grant.

The play space begins at the start of the existing beach access track with different balance and natural play features located along the sides of the track. Located in the more open flat area before the dune slope is a basket swing and a couple of toddler swings (including one expression swing where both caregiver and child face one another). Central to this space is an area called whare play. These will be small playhouses shaped like traditional whare which encourage imaginative play in children.

On the opposing side of the bank is a large tube slide and a series of paths, steps and stepping logs providing access. Where practical, large boulders and timber beams will be used to encourage natural play by users as they explore the space. Located on a natural flat clearing is an information zone which will include a combination of information panels, core boards, and games as well as a centralised exploration table. It is planned that this space would be wheelchair accessible from the carpark. A flying fox is also shown leading north from the back of the information zone and drawing people into the wider space.

The wider play space includes two fort spaces which would include a game similar to capture the flag where opposing teams can choose a fort and defend it while trying to ‘capture’ the opposing team’s fort. Each fort will include a musical instrument to signal when a team has won the game.

Toilets

We’re proposing to change the orientation of the toilet block so that they face the main car park area, making them safer and less prone to antisocial behaviour. The four proposed toilets will be individual unisex accessible stalls with a bench for changing in each. The toilets also include a shower located on the side of the building for beach swimmers.

Carpark

For the carpark, we’re proposing to simplify the layout:

• a basic one-lane two way system with parks on both sides where there is space, including four accessible car parks, and a turnaround area at the eastern end;
• vehicle entrances created to the north and south for maintenance/access to the Woodend Beach Campsite;
• the Tuhaitara Coastal Walkway is formalised with a change in material across the carpark making it very visible to both walkers and drivers.

The main central lane travels through two gardens which create an intentional entranceway and will include a sculptural entrance feature. Paths are planned on both sides to provide safe pedestrian access through the site to the toilets and the beach access track. Areas of the carpark will be raised to ensure adequate drainage and soakage gardens will also be created through the carpark and include native gardens and some tree species.

Get involved

We’re also seeking expressions of interest from the community to be involved in projects to further develop the site. These could include community groups building things such as the Whare Play area or locals who want to create navigation markers or other fun aspects such as fairy houses. Please leave your details on the survey provided if you or your community group would like to get involved.

Your feedback will help shape the final proposal. A summary of consultation results will be presented to the Woodend Sefton Community Board before any decisions are made.

Complete the feedback form online at waimakariri.govt.nz/letstalk or pick up a paper copy at Rangiora service centre, before 5pm Wednesday 8 October 2025.