Sign In / Register
A new playground will be built on Warkworth’s waterfront in the park at Baxter Street in a collaboration between Rodney Local Board and Warkworth Lions.
The Local Board has allocated $100,000 to the project. The Lions will design and build the playground in consultation with the community and support from Auckland Council staff.
Warkworth Lions president Peter Henderson says the playground will cater for children aged between 11 and 14.
“Three years ago we had a think-tank group that went around the town to find out what people wanted and a playground was one of the top priorities,” Mr Henderson says. “The other playground at the waterfront is only for children aged up to about 7, and the skatepark is for children a bit older again, so we found people wanted something for the other kids.
“In the next couple of months we will consult with children in that age group at Mahurangi College to see what equipment they would like and we will come up with a plan in collaboration with Council.
“Where we can, we will do the building to make sure as much of the funding goes on new equipment as possible.”
The project will be completed by June next year.
Beth Houlbrooke says it is the first time the Board has worked with the community to deliver a playground.
“Getting the community to deliver projects will be the way of the future to reduce costs and bureaucracy and increase community involvement,” Ms Houlbrooke says.
Meanwhile, Council is installing new swings beside the skatepark on Cumberland Street in Leigh.
The $25,000, 4-metre high Serious Air Swing is expected to open this month.
Council is also working to install new playground equipment in Point Wells. The Local Board resolved to install a new rope swing and an obstacle course after Council removed a historic Lullaby Swing due to health and safety concerns.
It is working with the Point Wells community to agree where to place the new equipment. The community are also considering whether to fundraise for a third piece of equipment.
