Some Small Local Playgrounds to Close in Favour of Improved Neighbourhood Playgrounds

Several city playgrounds will be getting a facelift this year while a handful of underused playgrounds will be decommissioned.

Karyn Stillwell, Porirua City Council Manager, Leisure Assets & Services, says Porirua City Council’s draft Play Spaces Strategy, currently in development, takes a holistic view of playgrounds in the city and is driven by a desire to increase the use and popularity of playgrounds.

The strategy also plans to ensure that playgrounds have equipment and activities in them that are fun and aid in child development.

“Our playgrounds need to provide a physical environment where kids can interact together and get involved in imaginative play. They also need to be safe and age appropriate.

“Whilst all of Porirua's playgrounds are safe to play on, some are due for renewal and do not have an imaginative configuration of equipment or activities. They may also be close to a play space which has recently been upgraded, such as Waitangirua Park.

“The Council also has to prioritise how it spends the playground renewal budget. We believe that the best way to do this is to ensure we have a good distribution of neighbourhood playgrounds in the city, and enhance city playground provision with the likes of Aotea Lagoon and Waitangirua Park,” says Ms Stillwell.

“We have examples in the city where we have a small park with one swing, near to a small park with a see saw, which are not far from a larger playground. We have others that attract the wrong kind of attention and as a result become underused.

“It’s always a tough call to close a playground but that decision is made easier when the decommissioning of an underused playground contributes to the upgrade and improvement of a nearby park that is within easy walking distance.”

Playgrounds affected include:

Being decommissioned Being enhanced or replaced
Desert Gold playground in Ascot Park (recently decommissioned). Nearby Ascot Park playground will receive a facelift with some new equipment by July 2012.
Waihora playground (recently decommissioned as a result of the new Waitangirua Park). Replaced by Waitangirua Park (opened late 2010).
Natone playground - will close during May. Replaced by Waitangirua Park (opened late 2010).
Gillies Place playground (Ranui Heights) - will be closed by the end of June. Nearby Ernest Street playground will receive an upgrade by July 2012.
Annan Grove playground in Papakowai to be decommissioned by the end of June. Within walking distance to Aotea Lagoon.
ends

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