About the project
This project is part of a broader programme of Council work focused on supporting skate in Wellington.
In March 2024, skatepark specialist company CONVIC held workshops with the skate community and local schools, and ran an online survey. Feedback from this engagement is informing the design of the skatepark and youth space.
CONVIC’s mission is to design beyond the skatepark, to ensure Kilbirnie Park is functional as a key urban green space that serves the local area, provides a unique destination for Wellingtonians and visitors, and accounts for other initiatives outlined in the masterplan.
“A skatepark is much more than just a concrete slab with a few obstacles. It’s a community space for hanging out and catching up with friends, and it can be an iconic colourful piece of art that represents your culture, community and identity.”
- CONVIC
Along with CONVIC we are working with Baked Design, mana whenua-appointed designers.
We will be asking for feedback on the skatepark design concept in May. For more dates and details, and to view the relevant documents, visit Kilbirnie Park Masterplan on Let's Talk.
Project priorities
- Design and deliver the skatepark and outdoor youth space.
- Update the community play space, and additional informal play spaces around the sportsfields.
- Work with mana whenua on ways to celebrate Ākau Tangi Pā.
- Improve the path network and parking.
Timeline
- Draft concept design – May 2024
- Final concept design – July 2024
- Park construction – mid to late 2025
- Park completion – mid to late 2026
Work beyond concept design is subject to on-going funding commitment through the Council’s 2024-34 Long-term Plan process.
Background
In 2023, Isthmus Group was engaged to prepare a masterplan for Kilbirnie Park as directed by the Suburban Reserves Management Plan.
This process was also informed by a 2021 council decision to allocate $1.5M from the Charles Plimmer Bequest for open space upgrades and $500K for play space renewal.
In 2022, following the results of a Wellington city skate feasibility study, a further $5.64M was allocated to support development of a new skatepark within Kilbirnie Park.
After significant engagement with a diverse range of stakeholders and the community, the masterplan was completed at the end of 2023. It provides a guiding framework for future development of the park over time, subject to funding decisions made through the Council’s Long-term Plan and Annual Plan.