Playgrounds due for new equipment and planting

Playground improvement work is due to start early next month at Hookway Grove, Weka Park and Tennis Court Road.

Demolition work to remove old equipment and the installation of modern play spaces will take around a month at each of the Kāpiti parks. During this time the playgrounds will need to be closed and fenced off for everyone’s safety.

Kāpiti Coast District Council’s Parks and Recreation Manager, Alison Law says the equipment being replaced is at the end of its safe and usable shelf-life.

“We asked the community in these neighbourhoods what they’d be keen to see in their playgrounds and our planners have incorporated those ideas into their work to come up with final plans for each of the spaces,” she says.

“While we have set budgets to work with in each space I’m really pleased with what we’ve been able to achieve for this year’s upgrades.”

The improvements will include a first for Kāpiti, Ms Law says, with the introduction of an expression swing at Tennis Court Road.

“At Tennis Court Road there’s a focus on imagination play and the expression swing is designed for an adult and child to use at the same time, sitting face-to-face.”

Ms Law says that Hookway Grove playground will have a new community orchard planted and new picnic tables installed as well as new equipment.

“Weka Park will be getting new shade trees planted at the top of the raised mound in the park and the new equipment there will include an all ability swing and climbing frame,” she says.