Falcons Landing Playground (Image Credit: Chris Owen, Xteriorscapes)
Citycare Property is responsible for the care and maintenance of more than 140 playgrounds across New Zealand. While the bulk of this is scheduled work to ensure playgrounds and their environs are safe well maintained, our specialist team also delivers the design and installation of new playground environments as needed.
This is where the broad experience of the Citycare Property Landscape Construction team comes to the fore, says Brent Cations, Contract Manager – Landscapes.
“The team has more than 20 years’ experience in soft and hard landscaping. This experience means the team’s strengths include the foresight to identify any potential issues, thinking ahead of the process, but also having the agility to resolve issues on the fly. We identify areas in which to save the client money and maintain open communication skills to keep clients informed and free to focus on the next project.”
Although Christchurch City Council is the primary client, the team has national capability, and have completed work for private construction and consultant companies, as well as other councils across New Zealand.
Generally, the team acts as a complete project manager, also liaising with equipment manufacturers and suppliers, undertaking construction and, once the project is complete, maintenance for the first 12 months. The team usually works on 8-9 playgrounds annually, delivering finished projects that are inclusive and accessible to as many as possible, and able to provide years of enjoyment for the whole community.
Citycare Property’s Landscape Construction team has a real passion for the work and is fully invested in creating playgrounds where fun and accessibility are key factors, while incorporating health and safety. To that end, the team has Royal Society for the Prevention of Accidents (RoSPA) accreditation. This covers:
- Playground construction facets including fall zones
- Health and safety considerations such as entrapment minimisation
- Environmental controls of the site during construction, especially any run-off from earthworks.
All these aspects, and more, are considered and covered with the client before any works begin. The team problem-solve matters that arise during construction and notwithstanding agreed upon contract variations, works to deliver projects on time and budget.
Falcons Landing Playground
Falcons Landing Playground (Image Credit: Chris Owen, Xteriorscapes)
This project formed part of the Falcons Landing subdivision by Yoursection.nz in Rolleston, Christchurch. It included playground equipment and park furniture installations, pump track design and construction, as well as construction of a new hard-surface area. Changes in level, inclusive play, ease of access and varied play experiences were integral parts of the design, necessitating a strong focus on collaboration. The team worked closely with play equipment suppliers and designers to consider construction techniques, material selection and compliance with NZS5828-2015.
Harrington Park/Barrington Park Playgrounds
Harrington Park Playground
Carried out simultaneously, on behalf of Christchurch City Council, these two projects focused on the removal of the existing playground equipment and areas, and the installation of new playgrounds to include soft fall spaces and equipment – as well as new footpaths, planting and park furniture.
Barrington Park Playground
Upgrades to both spaces included installation of all playground equipment (slides, fort, climbing net, swings), along with furniture and pedestrian features and the remediation of lawns and landscaped areas. A big part of the project included ongoing traffic and noise control, erosion and sediment control, and the setting out of works.
Kings Park Playground
Kings Park Playground
Located in the coastal suburb of Mt Pleasant, this project involved the removal of existing playground equipment and the installation of new equipment. Furthermore, the team delivered new asphalt, all-abilities -access and new park furniture installations. The team worked closely with Christchurch City Council to ensure all works and set out of the new playground occurred without any issues with a very satisfied and excited local community.
Radley Park Playground
Radley Park Playground
This project is located in the city-fringe suburb of Woolston and involved the removal of the existing playground equipment and modifying the existing playground surround to make the space larger. Once this space was extended the new playground equipment was installed, with new accessible footpath, planting and park furniture. Once completed the local kids, some of whom had been waiting and watching by the fences, got to play and enjoy the new area.