Sunny Crescent Playground is situated in the reserve adjacent to Sunny Crescent in Kumeū.  Kumeū developed in the early nineteen hundreds to become a wine and fruit growing countryside settlement with the coined name of Huapai, meaning ‘good fruit’.  The fruit bowl concept is the main design theme for the proposed playground.

Urban Solutions was engaged to undertake desktop and field investigations at the site and develop a concept design for the playground.  Our services included consenting, Mana Whenua engagement, developed and detailed design as well as preparation of the tender package.

The design seeks to create formal and informal play through chosen equipment and the designed spaces, highlight the local history in horticulture through the planting palette and bright colours, and preserve the strong pedestrian connection through the site.

Fruit trees are proposed and aim to encourage the community to pick the fruit and socialise in the larger open area or adjacent to the play space.  The edges of ellipse play zones become an integrated part of the play experience for balance and movement.  Intense use of colours in the soft-scape and hardscape design elements build on the concept of the fruit bowl, intensifying play.

The intention of the design is to combine all the elements in the space and take the community on a journey between different activities and various experiences.