Kids love $1 million playground

The popularity of Takapuna Beach Playground hasn’t dipped since thousands of children and adults turned out for its official opening on Sunday, August 14.

A constant barrage of families have visited the site, with parent reactions extremely positive.

‘‘I think it’s a fantastic facility and it couldn’t be in a better location. It’s brilliant, we needed something like this for the kids,’’ Devonport resident Jenny Nicholls says.

Designed for kids and adults alike, the $1 million playground has a 10-metre tower with slides from various levels, wheelchairaccessible merry-go-round, a water play area, basket swing, and a number of hammocks beneath large pohutukawa trees.

Largely funded by local benefactors Jackie Kerridge and Chris Reeve, who contributed $500,000, the playground is considered world-class in its features.

A resource consent was first lodged in 2014 but Auckland Council postponed granting the consent, while they debated traffic concerns and how earthworks would impact on the beachfront environment. Eventually construction started in April this year (Stuff.co.nz, April 5, 206).

There was a further delay when the official opening was put back two weeks from July 30 due to constant rain preventing the final installation of safety features.

At last the playground has opened, and it has been heavily used since then, in an unusual spell of fine winter weather.

However, with the playground’s immense popularity, there are some safety concerns about its proximity to surrounding Takapuna car parks.

‘‘Hopefully the safety issue at the top of the park can be resolved,’’ Takapuna resident Helen Kilding says.

‘‘I think a few people are assuming that’s a zebra crossing or a crossing for the kids when it’s actually not, cars are fully entitled to drive past so maybe there’s a thought about putting a zebra crossing in or something, or perhaps a fence at the top.

‘‘But I’m really pleasantly surprised, I wasn’t sure if it would be ok for younger kids having watched it being built, but my little boy’s three and he’s having a great time.

‘‘He’s been down from the top slide and and was amazed. So, it has really been nicely built so that its challenging, but it’s great for all ages.’’

AUCKLAND COUNCIL The playground’s main tower stands almost 10 metres high and was designed by Philippa Bollond.