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A colourful tower that beckons kids to fun and play will soon disappear from the area’s favourite playground – and potentially end up in a local’s backyard – as a brand-new model gets set to move in.
After nearly a decade of being the focal point of enjoyment for young children, Mangawhai Activity Zone’s (MAZ) plastic playground tower has done its time and will be replaced with a more contemporary version soon. People will also have a chance to take home the old equipment if ready and willing to deconstruct and remove it.
Originally purchased second-hand from McDonald’s at Sylvia Park more than 10 years ago, sections of the playground have already been removed due to parts not complying with playground safety standards. MAZ chair Kate Arbuckle says they knew the rest of the equipment was on borrowed time.
“It is unfortunate as this plastic tower has been so popular and everybody just loves it. As you drive along and look into the park, all you see is this lovely, colourful focal point in the playground,” she says.
“It’s served a fantastic purpose for the kids so the idea is to be bigger and better.”
Since last June, MAZ committee members have been working with New Zealand company Playground Centre on a design that will not only replace the current structure, but also enhance the experience for children. The new model expands the age range, with an area catering for children from six months to toddlers and a tower tailored for older adventurous kids aged up to 10 years.
Made from wood with minimal plastic, the new design includes three main components – a large tower, a mini-tower with a tunnel and driver seat, and a sand play platform – as well as slides, climbing ropes and poles.
MAZ member Ken Rayward says there have been many new developments in playgrounds over the years.
“They focus on the constructive, educational and physical experience, which is really important. This is a chance for us to modernise the whole park and take advantage of a lot of the new technologies and designs,” he says.
With a price tag of $148,000, the new equipment was made possible by two grants from Kaipara District Council, with the bulk of the cost covered by the Reserve Contribution Fund and the balance paid by MELA (Mangawhai Endowment Lands Account).
“It’s not just a set of swings in the backyard,” Rayward says. “It’s got a lot of new things that kids are looking for now to give them an adventurous experience, as well as an entertaining one.”
As the old model is not compliant with safety regulations it cannot be used in public spaces. However, it is still fit for personal use and MAZ is open to enquiries from the community who would be keen on becoming new owners of the old plastic tower.
“Once school goes back, we’ll focus on getting an empty space, so there will be a period when there will be no tower in the playground,” Arbuckle says. “The Playground Centre has advised the new equipment will be here on March 13 and will take a week to install. So now it’s fingers crossed for an Easter opening. Hopefully, all goes to plan.”
For enquiries regarding the removal of the old plastic tower, contact MAZ via mangawhaiactivityzone.co.nz or on social media.
