This is the project page for the Glen Eden Library Play Trail project. This page will be kept updated with general background information, dates for workshops and pop-up play activities and methods to get involved and have input into the project.
Want to get involved, offer some feedback or other input? Contact Toby at toby@theopenfort.com / 0211 252 452
Current Status
We have had our two community workshopping sessions where we delved into the project background, started mapping out more information about the location and started forming some initial ideas.
We are currently devising some initial concepts for the space which we will then be sharing on this page for feedback. We will also use these as starting points for some design workshops we are running with students from the Glen Eden Primary and Intermediate schools in the first week of July.
As soon as we have our initial concepts sketched out we will post them on this page for feedback and input.
Background
Auckland Council’s Community Empowerment Unit and the Waitakere Ranges Local Board (as well as other local community organisations) are keen to support a placemaking project to engage young people in the Glen Eden town centre through temporary play installations. This placemaking approach aims to increase residents’ experience of connection, belonging and safety in the town centre through a co-design process.
The project aligns with the Local Board outcome for the Glen Eden town centre. This is an activation programme which aims to support the design and implementation of a programme of community-led activities that help make Glen Eden a more attractive, welcoming and inclusive town centre, including by activating public and community spaces with events, running creative workshops, and enabling culturally diverse experiences.
The Brief
To encourage young people in the area outside the Glen Eden Library to feel safe, be active and develop social connections.
To do this through community co-designed active, playful installations that can be monitored & evaluated by community stakeholders.
Proposal
To create a semi-permanent playful space outside the Glen Eden Library. This will be aimed at families visiting the library, school children using the area while waiting for the bus as well as encouraging youth to visit and linger in the area in a positive manner.
We (The Open Fort) intend to build on previous project designs to devise ideas that can be shared with local stakeholders and further developed as collaboratively as possible. These ideas will be shared online for feedback and further content/activity development.
Initial co-design workshops (run at the Library) will be based around a set of parameters, including (but not limited to):
- An intention for play installations that do not need any other loose physical items
- The play installations should be able to be removed at the end of the trial period and the area returned to its original state (unless the local community would prefer them to stay)
- Several different play installation designs can be tested in the scope of this project
- There is potential to host pop-up activities to help activate the space and garner feedback
Objectives and Outcomes
The objectives and outcomes can be summarised as creating:
- Increased Active Lifestyles – To create a healthy, fun and activated space that encourages families to play and keep fit together while shopping
- Community Ownership – To create a sense of belonging with the place, inspiring social connection and community ownership
- A Vibrant, Safe Destination – To create a place where the town centre becomes a ‘vibrant’ destination for children and safe spaces for pedestrians
Workshops & Pop-up Play Events
We are planning two community co-design workshops to help us design better ideas:
1 – The first workshop will be held at the Glen Eden Library from 7-8:30pm on Wednesday 9th June. Members of the public are welcome – RSVP to Toby via email (toby@theopenfort.com).
2 – The second workshop will also be held at the Glen Eden Library from 7-8:30pm on Wednesday 16th June. Members of the public are welcome – RSVP to Toby via email (toby@theopenfort.com).
Two pop-up play events are planned to help activate the space. The dates for these events are currently Saturday 31st July and Saturday 14th August 1-3pm on both days.
Timeline
The current timeline for this project is as follows:
31st May – 8th June = Devising initial ideas
9th June = First Community co-design workshop
10th June – 15th June = Developing ideas
16th Jun = Second Community co-design workshop
17th June – 25th June = Sharing ideas for wider community feedback
28th June – 2nd July = Finalising games and activities to be incorporated into design
5th July – 16th July = Graphic design, illustration, technical specifications (main design phase)
14th July – 23rd July = Print management and production
24th July = INSTALLATION
31st July = First pop-up event
14th August = Second pop-up event
28th August (or potentially later!) = Uninstall date
Examples from previous projects
As creatives, placemakers, game designers and active play designers, we have worked on a variety of playful activations. Below is a small sample of some of our recent projects, including:
- The Space Maze – a playful installation activating Aotea Square using ground decal stickers
- Welcome to the Jungle – another playful installation using ground decal stickers in Newmarket Station Square
- Retro Racing – a racing track in Pt England installed using stencils and spray paints
- New Windsor Play – interactive community engagement using durable pole wrap-arounds
- Changing Lanes – a beautification project using stencils and temporary chalk-spray
