Public input sought for new Waikirikiri playground

NEW PLAYGROUND COMING: Xavier Penfold and Fantasia Walker on the playground at Waikirikiri Park. Consultation is under way about the design of a new one, including a Design Our Playground event as part of the Whanau in the Park day on Friday, February 23. It was scheduled for yesterday but was postponed because of the weather. Picture by Rebecca Grunwell

KAITI residents are invited to attend the Whanau in the Park - Design Our Playground event at Waikirikiri Park from 3pm to 6pm on February 23.

Gisborne District Council will replace the old playground, partially dismantled for health and safety reasons, this winter and is seeking ideas from the community.

Sport Gisborne-Tairawhiti and Gisborne District Council, in partnership with community organisations Ka Pai Kaiti, Ngati Porou Hauora, Huringa Pai, Supergrans, Gisborne-East Cancer Society, Te Hiringa Matua, and Papawhariki, have already gathered information from the community.

Sport Gisborne-Tairawhiti chief executive Stefan Pishief said he had been overwhelmed by the community interest and ideas.

“It was pleasing that we were able to get such a wealth of information on the features that people want to see in their new playground and surrounding landscape.

“It reinforces the value that Kaiti residents place on having great facilities at Waikirikiri Park.

“What we need now, is to refine those ideas right down to comparing types of slides, seats and much more,” he said.

To help with this, Sport Gisborne Tairawhiti is creating a”design a playground” exhibit for the February 23 event.

The exhibit will allow the community to vote on their favourite options based on themes that emerged in over 400 survey responses on the playground completed this summer.

Gisborne District Council contracts and assets manager Garrett Blair said the public would help determine more than the components of the playground. They would also determine the best location for it.”

The Design Our Playground event will have a range of fun, free activities provided by Ka Pai Kaiti as part of its smoke, alcohol and drug-free Whanau in the Park day.

Ka Pai Kaiti manager Tuta Ngarimu urges the Kaiti community to get behind the event and the playground project.

“We will have music, food, a bouncy castle, giveaways, Harley rides, face painting and more. This is a chance for Kaiti to ensure that our new playground is perfect for our tamariki.”