Organisers of an Otago initiative are hoping to make recreation more accessible and active by introducing 'Trybraries' across the region.
Some of the active play equipment being made available. Photo: Supplied / Otago Museum
They involve library boxes filled with active play equipment and operate like a library - people can borrow equipment and then return it to the box for others to use.
The initiative is from Tūhura Otago Museum and Sport Otago, and will see 10 boxes distributed across the region - seven in Dunedin and one each in Milton, Balclutha and Palmerston.
The museum's senior science engagement coordinator and project leader, Anna Farrelly-Rosch, said they held a successful trial in Dunedin last year and wanted to expand it.
"Being active doesn't have to be going to the gym. It doesn't have to be paying a membership to go somewhere and do something.
"It can be as simple as playing a game of tag or juggling or playing jump rope with your friends, and that's what the Trybraries are all about.
"There's no age bracket for play."
Some of the items include bats, balls, skipping ropes, hoops and racquets.
The Trybraries would be in parks until November when Farrelly-Rosch said they would check in with the community and hopefully hand them over to community-led groups to continue.
She said the museum was running a Try July Challenge on TikTok to encourage more young people to get outside and get active over winter.
People could send in video submissions using the equipment with the #tryjulychallenge to be in the running for prizes.
Today the museum launches Trybraries with science shows and live music.
The programme is supported by Dunedin City Council and Waitaki District Council, with funding from Sport Otago's Tu Manawa Active Aotearoa fund.
