Leamington playgrounds to undergo key maintenance

Two of Cambridge’s playground sites will be temporarily closed for maintenance in August, including the permanent relocation of utilities from one playground.

The Leamington Domain playground, an older location but one popular among locals, will be closed for approximately one week for ongoing maintenance starting from 16 August.

Waipā District Council Playground Asset Officer Paul van der Hoek said he appreciated the patience of Leamington residents while they carried out the much-needed repairs.

“The playground in Leamington Domain is part of a large site with a range of older equipment, servicing an active community that enjoys the playground.”

A timber playground unit at the Leamington Domain had deteriorated to the point of being a hazard to children and would be removed, as well as its adjoining climbing frame.

Maintenance would also include refreshing and extending the wood chip under the twin slides.

“While working at this site we are going to renew and extend the wood chip under surface around the two slides we have here.”

The playground equipment has been well-used, and the relocation of the seesaw to the Leamington Domain will give parkgoers a new feature to play on.

Hoek said Waipā District Council would be providing the much needed upgrades to the playground in Leamington Domain ahead of schedule, with a renewal of the playground facilities due in 2024-2025.

Lindsay Park Playground will see its seesaw relocated and its swing set removed following a recent safety audit, which highlighted it as a hazard for children playing on it.

Hoek said while he understood the playgrounds were popular, Lindsay Park playground was identified by Waipā District Council as being in dire need of maintenance, but with very little use and traffic.

“We’ve identified a range of problems including the posts that support the swing sets being in an advanced state of deterioration.

“Given its recessed location and lack of visibility and public use, Waipā District Council has decided not to renew the swing frame and relocate the adjoining seesaw to the Leamington Domain.”

Maintenance is due to begin on 16 August.