Auckland City Council
Variety - The Children's Charity
Joint media release

8 June 2010

Auckland’s newest all-access playground opens

Auckland’s newest all-access playground for children of all abilities opens this weekend, in Pt Chevalier’s Coyle Park.

This unique playground features an inclusive, all-access play space that is accessible to children of varying abilities, including disabled children.

The equipment is designed to accommodate a child and their parent or caregiver at the same time. For example, there are purpose-built slides and play modules that are extra wide to enable a child to be accompanied by an adult. There are also spacious concrete paths to provide easy access, a train with higher seat backs and straps to secure children, and picnic tables that can accommodate wheelchairs.

The playground will be formally opened by Hon. John Banks, QSO, Mayor of Auckland city at 11am, Sunday 13 June.

The redevelopment of the playground is a collaboration between Auckland City Council, Variety – The Children’s Charity and CCS Disability Action.

“As Auckland grows and develops it will become even more important to cater for the growing numbers of children across the city. This new facility is a great example of the kind of playground that caters for all kids,” says Mr Banks.

Auckland City Council committed funds towards the upgrade from the council’s playgrounds renewal budget. Variety – The Children’s Charity and CCS Disability Action secured funding from the Lion Foundation, Wilson Home Trust, David Levene Foundation, Jubilee Trust, Western Bays Community Board, John Fillmore Contractors and Matta Products Ltd.

“This playground will allow children of different abilities to develop and explore, and is an example of Variety’s commitment to all Kiwi kids to help them reach their full potential,’ said Lorraine Taylor, CEO of Variety – The Children’s Charity.

Coyle Park playground was chosen as the site for the playground as it is an appropriate size to accommodate the upgrade to an all-inclusive play space, as well as being a central and picturesque location near the coast.

The public is invited to join in the opening celebrations on Sunday 13 June from 11am – 2pm. More details are listed below.

Ends

Notes to editor:

Location: Coyle Park, 528 Pt Chevalier Rd, Pt Chevalier
Date: Sunday 13 June 2010
Time: 11am to 2pm (official opening at 12pm, by the Hon. John Banks, QSO, Mayor of Auckland city)
Entry fee: Free
Entertainment: activities include face painting, sausage sizzle, stilt walkers and performances by Circus Kumarani, Touch Compass and StarJam. Hosted by Suzy Cato.

Other playground features:

o All-weather rubber safety matting which provides a firm surface suitable for children in wheelchairs or with limited mobility.

o Slides which are wide enough for an adult to accompany a child down. A climbing rope beside the slide allows children to pull themselves up on the rope if desired or there are stairs between the two slides to enable access.

o A large 7.4 metre climbing net which provides a climbing challenge for children.

o A three-sided tactile weather station that provides activities on the panels.

o A music panel (keyboard) and several other activity panels.

o A swing with a special seat that is suitable for children with mobility issues or younger children

Variety – The Children’s Charity
Known until 1999 as the Variety Club, Variety - The Children's Charity is dedicated to helping sick, disadvantaged and disabled children around the world. Through a range of 'Signature Programmes' and financial grants Variety encourages all children to live fulfilled and enriched lives - to strive to reach their full potential.

Variety is registered as a not-for-profit which raises all its revenue through public donations and fundraising events. For further information about Variety, visit www.variety.org.nz

CCS Disability Action

CCS Disability Action (formerly the New Zealand Crippled Children Society and CCS) works in partnership with disabled people and their families to ensure equality of opportunity, quality of life, and by helping to create environments of inclusion.

CCS Disability Action delivers regular services to over 4,000 people with disabilities, making us one of the largest disability support service providers in New Zealand. CCS Disability Action works closely with other disability agencies to make the best use of shared knowledge and resources, helping us to adopt best practice across the sector.

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