Plans unveiled for new playground

25 September 2017

Council has finalised plans for the Te Awamutu playground and bike skills park and is planning to have the new facility up and running by Christmas.

Council released plans for a new bike park as part of the destination playground in mid-August, but concerns were expressed about the park encroaching on the existing Te Awamutu rose gardens. Based on that feedback, plans were revised.

Now, instead of reducing space for roses, the plans have increased the rose bed area by nine square meters and maintained most of the semi-circular shape of the gardens. Council have also created brand new rose beds around town in Anzac Green, Victoria Park and next to the museum.

The playground plans released today include a water play area, under-5 play area, balance and slide area, new playground equipment as well as the bike skills park. The existing BBQ and picnic area will be upgraded to make the area a community focal point.

Waipa mayor Jim Mylchreest said Council had done all it could do to meet concerns expressed about the rose gardens from some people, while meeting the needs of families in a growing and vibrant town. He said everyone had made compromises.

The new playground and bike skills park are fantastic additions to the Selwyn Park area and will sit alongside the existing library, events centre and rose gardens. We've had very strong feedback that this is something the community would strongly welcome, he said.

The combination of these facilities will mean we will be able to create a wonderful family atmosphere, attract visitors to the heart of our town and build on the real sense of community Te Awamutu is already well known for."

Council staff have continued working with the Te Awamutu Rose Trust to move those roses that are being relocated as well as develop the brand new rose beds around town. The beds will include new roses purchased by the Trust as part of its annual replacement programme as well as some roses that have been relocated.

Construction work for the new playground and bike skills park is set to begin next month. Full information and updates are available at www.waipadc.govt.nz/TA-playground

For more information, contact: Simone van Asbeck, 027 564 7622