Margaret Mahy Playground, Christchurch (must see)

Within an easy walk from the center of Christchurch one finds the Margaret Mahy Playground. Margaret Mahy was a world famous children's book author. She died on July 23 2012. The playground is probably the largest playground in the Southern Hemisphere.

The playground offers serious fun for all children and a break for the adults. There are bouncing slides, climbing, flying fox squirting, picture swings and a small water park, plus food carts and BBQs. The park borders the Avon River and New Regent Street is nearby.

The park covers a wide selection of play equipment. The team designers created a "story arc" path almost 500 feet long. The arc contains elements from the children's stories of writers Margaret Mahy and Elsie Locke. Legends and images from the indigenous Ngai Tahu people also appear in the arc.

Much of the equipment is custom made. A 33 foot high tower, a 15 foot climbing slope with slides, in-ground trampolines and "flying fox" machines and other fun items abound, water play, climbing nets and even artworks add to the many possibilities for children and adults.