Play trail to help kids explore outdoors

Tamaraki from Bromley and Linwood are being encouraged to explore their local outdoor green spaces with the help of a new play pathway.

The pathway, Whāia te huanui ki te tākaro which means seek the pathway to play starts at Bromley Community Centre and goes through to Linwood Park, it has interactive play spaces, murals and activities like the floor is lava and dance stations.

Running this Wednesday 15 April and 19 Friday, the event by Play Preservation Trust, Bromley Community Centre, Te Whatu Ora and Christchurch City Council is part of the wider Christchurch Walking Festival.

Whanau can pick up a map from Bromley Community Centre between 9am-12pm and follow the eel (tuna) painted on the pathway to find fun activities along the 1.7km self-guided trail.

About halfway through the trail the Christchurch City Libraries Outreach van will be at the Tilford Street Reserve where people can stop for a rest and to read a book before carrying on along the path to see what teddy and friends are up to in the Smith Street Urban Farm.

The trail ends at Linwood Park where there will be a pop-up play space hosted by the Play Preservation Trust.

Emma Woods from the trust says it’s important for children to have access to safe outdoor areas in their community with low or no traffic.

“The Linwood drain pathway, which the play trail follows, is a great space where kids can get out and explore their surroundings, my favourite part is being able to see the eels in the drain.”

Emma says it’s a great community resource, locals should make the most of.

“With housing becoming more intensive we want to encourage children to get outdoors and play, play is so important, it’s good for cognitive development, their emotional well-being and it helps them learn.”

After exploring the trail, locals can either walk or catch bus route 140 back towards Bromley Community Centre.