An academic from the University of Otago’s Cancer Society Research Collaboration has created NZ Playground Explorer, a web app with filterable information about every Council-owned playground in Aotearoa New Zealand.
The app, which has been funded by Lottery Health, Cancer Society of New Zealand, and the University of Otago, provides equipment and facility information for more than 3,550 playgrounds across the motu.
Created by Dr Bronwen McNoe, of the Department of Preventive and Social Medicine, the app contains filterable detailed information and photographs of every council managed playground in Aotearoa New Zealand.
“I thought this would be really valuable for parents and caregivers. The app can tell you which playgrounds offer good shade, as well as a wealth of details on play equipment such as pump tracks and flying foxes, and amenities such as public toilets and barbeque facilities,” says Dr McNoe.
“A great feature is that all this information is filterable – if your child loves diggers, you can easily find all the playgrounds in New Zealand that feature diggers.”
Along with helping parents find a playground their children will enjoy, the app enables them to find one which is also good for their health.
Skin cancer is a significant issue in New Zealand, with 100,000 cases annually and treatment costs exceeding $400 million.
“This largely preventable disease is almost entirely caused by excessive sun exposure, with childhood exposure being a critical risk factor,” says Dr McNoe.
“Ensuring shade in areas where children live, learn, and play is crucial for their protection from the sun. By making our environments SunSmart, it’s easier for parents to keep their children safe. However, parents need to know which playgrounds offer adequate shade for their children.”
Emma Shields, a Cancer Society spokesperson, says the organisation is delighted to be part of the collaboration.
“This is a revolutionary new app which could help communities across New Zealand to be more SunSmart by helping them identify where they can find shade in playgrounds,” she said.
Dr McNoe utilised data from an academic project assessing shade in public outdoor spaces to produce the resource.
She wanted to make the extensive information she gathered easily accessible to the public to help them find well shaded playgrounds.
She says she also wants to encourage councils to think about shade when renovating or creating playgrounds.
“Councils are responsible for many of the outdoor recreational areas we use every day – they need to systematically consider the inclusion of shade in relation to these areas. That might be trees, gazebos or shade sails depending on the type of space it is.”
“There is a feedback mechanism in the app where you can share your opinions on shade. This feedback can then be shared with councils.”
Dr McNoe hopes to expand the app to include outdoor swimming pools, and skateparks in the future.
View the NZ Playground Explorer website here and listen to Dr McNoe talk about her project here.
