Feilding could get fenced playground
Parents could soon let their children run wild without fear at a playground in a Feilding park.
The Manawatu District Council will consider consolidating two playgrounds at Kowhai Park and installing a fence around them in its 2018-2028 Long Term Plan.
During its Annual Plan process, councillors voted to look at fencing one of the town’s playground, with the most suitable one located at the park on South St.
Resident Nikki Speedy has been a vocal supporter of the development, raising a petition with 222 signatures.
At the moment there is only one fenced playground in the district, located in Rongotea.
That needs to change, according to Speedy.
‘‘We have a number of playgrounds in Feilding, but all are close to either roads or waterways, which pose risks to our little people,’’ she said.
Investing in a fenced playground would provide parents with ‘‘peace of mind’’ and support the council’s strategic aim for the district to be ‘‘the best place to raise a family’’, Speedy said.
The Feilding Community Committee also weighed in. In its submission to the council’s Annual Plan the committee asked for a secured fence with gates that could not be climbed or opened by a toddler and small children.
‘‘The caregiver would have the confidence that a moment of distraction won’t end sadly.’’
Manawatu District Council community and strategy general manager Brent Limmer said none of the Feilding playgrounds were suitable for the installation of fencing.
It would cost about $150,000 for a new fenced playground, he said.
This it would include moving playground equipment from the Makino precinct and left side of Kowhai Park over to the right.