Birds getting stuck at new splash pad

Porirua’s newest attraction has been attracting plenty of visitors this summer - but some just can’t get away.

Seagulls caught in the temporary matting surrounding the $910,000 splash pad at Aotea Lagoon have worried some people, who have also reported the birds can’t eat food thrown on to the material.

One woman said she had seen birds with their legs tied together by the loose fibre.

‘‘It’s not very nice for the birds and it’s not very nice for children seeing that.’’

Parks manager Olivia Dovey said the council was aware of some incidents and had replaced ‘‘the worst’’ of the matting but anyone who saw a stuck bird should call the contact centre immediately.

‘‘The matting was put down so we could open the splash pad in time for Christmas and the school holidays and it was only ever intended as a temporary measure.’’

It would be replaced with a concrete pathway and grass when the splash pad closed for about three weeks from February 12 for improvements, she said.

New paths, picnic tables and rubbish bins were among the improvements and new grass would be sown around the attraction.

Dovey said the work was always part of the project but it was delayed so it could be opened in time for the summer school holidays.

‘‘We’re going ahead now because the kids are back at school and most parents are back to work. We’re thrilled with how popular and successful the splash pad has been since it opened on December 22 - and we look forward to reopening it in early March.’’

The splash pad was monitored regularly during the day by council staff and they would continue to keep an eye on the material, she said.

On Wednesday, pieces of the white fabric were spread over the ground near the attraction and some was floating in the nearly lagoon, worrying early morning walkers.

Lovey Joines said she worried about the fish and ducks eating it.

‘‘It’s all over the place, I don’t think it was a very good thing to do.’’