Farm park shut down because of legal costs
‘‘It’s a real shame kids can’t just have good old-fashioned fun anymore.’’
Donna Simpson
The magic carpet at a man’s homemade rural adventure park has landed with a thump after health and safety regulations saw the owner shut up shop.
Dave Hunger invented and built a range of weird and wonderful machines and toys for people to play with at his Stratford farm, but the legal requirements of keeping the park open have overwhelmed him into closing the gates.
Hunger recently received notification that his magic carpet and quad train rides had to be registered under the Amusement Devices Regulations, and could not be operated until they were. He also needed building permits for the swings and swing bridge.
The magic carpet involved people lying on a square of carpet being towed around by a tractor. Other activities included a swing made out of a canoe, cow rides, giant bikes with tractor wheels and a maze made from wire and weed sheet.
Hunger temporarily closed Fernbrooke Farm in March 2017 to address potential health and safety concerns. He reopened in December 2017 after being visited by WorkSafe and closing a flying bike ride and a flying fox.
‘‘I have decided that I just can’t meet the legal requirements without it costing an arm and a leg, and so am regrettably going to close the Amusement Park,’’ Hunger wrote on the park’s Facebook page.
‘‘I have put a lot of time, effort and money into developing the park over the last five years, but can’t keep doing so indefinitely.’’
He said he was tired of jumping through hoops of other people’s health and safety ideas.
‘‘To operate a magic carpet you must first get an engineers’ signoff, then register it with WorkSafe and finally buy a permit to use from local council.
‘‘Long story short, the nearest approved engineer is in the Waikato, and no one in New Zealand has ever succeeded in getting a magic carpet registered.’’
He said he was convinced people were blessed with ‘‘good stuff’’ for sharing with others, and was disappointed he would no longer be able to share his.
‘‘Regardless of whether we share time, money, talents, skills or a beautiful location and a pet cow, the principle is the same. I thought I had found a creative way of sharing what I have with my community, a win-win, but apparently not.’’
However, he said they had had a great summer with more than 1800 people coming through since Christmas without a single injury or complaint that he was aware of.
‘‘Together we raised $2100 that was passed on to three worthwhile charities.’’
The Facebook post drew more than 160 comments, with most people thanking Hunger for his efforts.
‘‘It’s a real shame kids can’t just have good old-fashioned fun anymore,’’ Donna Simpson said.
Karen Smylie said the closure was ‘‘so sad’’.
‘‘We’ve had three amazing days at your park. The whole family has loved it. Thank you so much for sharing as long as you have.’’
‘‘What is the world coming to? Kids playing in places like yours is what they need,’’ Barbara Reilly said.