Lawrence Playground
2022-2025
The project arose out of the Clutha District Council’s Lawrence -Tuapeka Our Place community plan to redevelop the playground, and was community-led, with the people of Lawrence recognising that the existing playground was well overdue for an upgrade: The Lawrence Playground Project 2022 was born.
Background
The community raised more than $250,000 and worked tirelessly for over two years to make the playground upgrade a reality. Fundraising and project management was led by the community under the umbrella of the Lawrence Cultural & Heritage Trust.
Council assisted with funding and technical support and is responsible for ensuring public safety at playgrounds on Council reserves, also funding the new perimeter fence. The playground includes giant play equipment, landscaping and a water fountain, picnic tables and soft fall matting, under shade sails to keep the users out of the hot Otago sun.
The extensive upgrade was completed in December 2024, with a major investment by Council and the community to provide the new equipment and activities. The destination playground was extremely popular over the 2024-25 summer, with locals and passing travelers spending time using the new swings, sand play area, and fort.
The inviting curved concrete path begged for something bright and colourful, and a year after its completion that aim was achieved with painted animal pawprints to encourage visitors to hop, skip and jump their way into the playground. Well-known mural artist Alice Muir, also responsible for the recently completed artwork on the walls of the new Kākā Point toilet and changing facility, along with the Milton Dog Park, applied her brush to the project with paw-fectly colourful results.
Clutha District Councillor Roger Cotton was a playground committee member.
“The playground hadn’t been upgraded for 23 years, and what a difference the upgrade has made. It’s been a real labour of love over the past four years, and we’re thrilled with the results.”
Clutha Mayor Jock Martin chaired the playground committee
“What an amazing space it is for our Tamariki and travelling public, and what a real community asset the playground is! Congratulations to the community for making this happen, and to all the groups and businesses who chipped in with their time and resources. This has been a real grass roots community effort and something the district can be proud of.”
By 14 February 2026, the committee behind the project will have officially handed over the playground to the Clutha District Council with an iwi representative performing a blessing, Mayor Jock Martin and Councillor Roger Cotton presiding over speeches and a short meet and greet, followed by a free sausage sizzle hosted by the committee group.
In the meantime, the Lawrence community invites the public to come play and enjoy – but keep anything with wheels (except for prams) out of this very special play space.
See plans:
Our Place Lawrence-Tuapeka Community Plan - Clutha District Council
See photos from the official handover ceremony on Saturday 14 February 2026:
Following a blessing by Timikuka Walker of Waikoau Ngāi Tahu Runanga (South Otago), committee member Keily Smith performed the official opening, supported by Clutha District Mayor Jock Martin, who also chaired the playground committee.
The popular Lawrence Playground on Whitehaven Street has been in use for a year since its upgrade, as part of Council's Our Place Lawrence-Tuapeka Community Plan projects. The Lawrence community took a lead on this project, producing a colourful and creative play space that reflects its past and present for current and future tamariki. The icing on the cake was the animal pawprint-inspired footpath mural by Alice Muir, which was added late last year.
Pictured in the group photo are committee members Cr Roger Cotton and Mayor Jock, Natalie Wark, Keily Smith, Rowena Adams and Berna Tuhaka, and Council's Community Services Group Manager Mike Goldsmith.
