Playground design feedback sought from community

RANFURLY residents are being asked for feedback on a design for the new John St playground.

The Central Otago District Council sought community input into the process last September with a community dropin session and a survey that attracted 60 responses.

The council recently went out to market for the project, using that community input in the project brief.

Play space design and construction company Creo — which designed and built the Clyde River Park playground — was chosen as the project partner to deliver the playground.

The company has prepared a 3D concept video and static posters for the community to check the design, which are available to view on the council’s website and at the Ranfurly Service Centre, the Maniototo Public Library and at Ranfurly iSite.

The intention is to put play equipment orders in by late September and for installation in autumn next year.

Before plans are locked in and orders placed, the council wants to know what the community thinks of the concept.

Interested parties are asked to complete a short survey before 5pm on Sunday, September 11.

Parks officer projects Marie Gordon said that the concept ‘‘incorporates play pieces that have been selected to provide a variety of play types and challenges for users of all ages and abilities’’.

‘‘The star element in the centre is a 6m high structure that will encourage intergenerational play with both junior and more advanced play options in a shared space. The other two new features — the rope swing net and basket pendulum swing — are inclusive pieces that provide play opportunities for users of all abilities too.’’

The design includes retaining some existing playground items (swing set and ‘‘wobblies’’), but giving them a makeover to complement the colour theme of the new playground, helping stretch the $200,000 upgrade budget further.