Dinosaur slide could be upgraded in council plan
THE Dunedin community hopes at least one dinosaur will not become extinct.
The city council is looking to revamp its three major public playgrounds, and staff have recently summarised the 335 submissions on the proposals.
The playground designs, created by Bespoke Landscape Architects, were based on a working budget of $200,000 for detailed design and documentation and $2 million for construction of each playground.
Among the submissions, there appears to be wideranging support for upgrading the decadesold dinosaur slide, which remains a popular feature at Marlow Park.
Councillors will receive a report on the feedback at Wednesday’s community services committee meeting.
‘‘The community supported retention and refurbishment of the iconic features of the park such as the dinosaur slide and whale,’’ the report said.
‘‘There were comments that the dinosaur slide had been separated from the rest of the playground by a large open grass area and that there was an opportunity to bridge the gap with more play equipment.’’
The report said there was also support for the proposed parkour area which would ‘‘provide a challenging and engaging play experience for older children and teenagers’’.
There were also requests for additional ‘‘challenging play elements for the older age group such as large climbing nets’’.
However, there were also concerns about the concept design in general having too much open space, being bland and lacking colour, and ‘‘it was felt that more equipment was needed to fill the space’’.
There was also support for the upgrading of Woodhaugh Gardens and the Mosgiel Memorial Garden, the report said.
At Woodhaugh Gardens, there were requests for more play equipment to be included in the design, more nature or free play opportunities, multigenerational fitness equipment to provide recreational options for different age groups, more climbing equipment to provide greater challenges for older children, more trees for shade and climbing and the addition of bike racks.
At the Mosgiel Memorial Garden, there were concerns about the lack of inclusive play equipment, as well as requests for more play equipment for people with disabilities.
A community services committee report said staff would work to develop estimated costs and revised concept designs for each playground with options that incorporate community feedback.
Staff would also develop a timing schedule that includes the order of playground construction. An options report will be presented to council in time for the ninetear plan 202534.