Building playful communities starts with people

Steph Reichardt, Sport Bay of Plenty’s Regional Play System Lead, helps communities across the Bay of Plenty create environments where tamariki can play, move and be active. She says the secret to creating playful environments is simple: “It’s the Māori whakatauki – He aha te mea nui o te ao? He tāngata, he tāngata, he tāngata – it’s the people we connect with and the relationships we build.”

Over the past 6 years, Steph has seen first-hand how much play has gained momentum across communities in the Bay of Plenty.

Part of her role includes the Neighbourhood Play System initiative. Supported by Sport NZ, it brings together schools, whānau, councils, local organisations and community groups to create more playful, accessible neighbourhoods.

One of the achievements Steph is most proud of through the Neighbourhood Play System initiative is the renewal of the Surrey Grove playground and pop-up community centre in Tutarawānanga Merivale, Tauranga.

“Feedback from the community told us the existing play space had some issues and a feeling that it wasn’t overly safe to play there. Today, the playground has a new layout, new equipment, and the feeling of a safe community space.

“The space has been brought back to life. It’s so rewarding seeing the number of tamariki playing there again.”

For Steph, the project shows what’s possible when communities, organisations and local leaders work together around a shared vision for play.

Tamariki are at the heart of the process, sharing where they play, how they play and what’s stopping them from playing at school and in their neighbourhood, helping to shape the project.

Steph is driving the initiative in the Bay of Plenty region. Projects in Maketū, Kawerau, Western Heights and Tutarawānanga Merivale, are helping communities in these areas to create more playful and accessible neighbourhoods.

The Kawerau project led to a playground assessment that identified what needed fixing to bring play spaces up to code and highlighted an opportunity for Neighbourhood Support to support future Play Streets.

In Maketū, recommendations are being prepared for the community board, with a particular focus on the local school pool and skatepark.

For Steph, these small wins reflect the value of strong relationships and community support. “The secret is working at their pace, finding opportunities and being willing to step up and give back, rather than just take intel.”

Steph believes the biggest successes come from being present, being in the right place at the right time, building trust and being available.

“Neighbourhoods are complex; communities are complex. The Neighbourhood Play System helps us show the potential of spaces through the eyes of tamariki, but requires support from a variety of relationships to make an initiative successful.