A community advisory group has recently held a site visit at Englefield Reserve. The group is made up of representatives from Northwood and Belfast Residents Associations, community and sports groups and the Styx Mill Living Laboratory Trust who undertake Community Planting in the area.

The group will be looking at the space identified for a Nature Play area to get a feel for it and brainstorm ideas that will contribute to a draft design of what it could be.

The work will be supported by Council staff and a nature play consultant and funded through the Waimāero Fendalton Waimairi-Harewood Community Board. The draft design will then go to Council staff and then be put out for wider consultation to the community to get their input.

The outcome of working together in this way will see the development of a space, designed by the community for the community.

The idea behind a nature play space is that, instead of the standard, cookie-cutter metal and plastic structures that make up the bulk of today's playgrounds, people can incorporate the surrounding landscape and vegetation to bring nature to children's daily outdoor play and learning environments.