Playground work begins

Construction has begun on a new nautical and coastal themed playground at Wellington’s Frank Kitts Park, expected to be open in October. The large slide at the current playground was decommissioned due to safety concerns, after at least eight children broke their legs while using it. The new $6 million design will feature five swings – a basket swing, mirage swing, toddler swing, and two standard swings, as well as a new lighthouse, and dual flying fox. ‘‘The terraced spaces will provide a variety of play experiences, some of which are specifically designed for different age groups,’’ Matthew Beres, the council’s play spaces specialist, said when announcing the design. Parts of the decommissioned lighthouse will be re-used, including the domed roof, seagull, chrome seashells, and telescope.