Community called to name new Anderson Park playground

The Napier City Council is asking for name ideas for new playground at Anderson Park /Photo Supplied

Young children and their families are waiting in anticipation for the new Anderson Park playground to open late July, but it's still missing one thing - a name.

The Napier City Council has spent months re-designing and building the new playground, which is focused around birdlife, flora and fauna, the natural world, community and whānau.

The new playground boasts plenty of beautiful equipment for children of all ages, as well providing equipment for children less able-bodied. They include a wheelchair accessible mini tower, a swing, spinning disc, as well as artwork containing messages in braille for the sight impaired and more.

Council manager for communications and marketing Fiona Fraser says the playground is in the final stages of being completed, but a new name would be the final piece of the puzzle.

"We're asking our communities to help us name the playground, so we put a post-up on Facebook three days ago, asking them to come up with some ideas; from that we'll compile a shortlist."

The Facebook post has reached over 18,000 people and the council has already received hundreds of suggestions, but Fraser said they were encouraging as many people as possible to contribute.

"We've had hundreds of ideas for names. Everything from Len Snee Memorial Playground, David Attenborough- because it has a natural world theme- then there's been beautiful Maori names as well. We're just completely overwhelmed and want to give it one more push before we close it Friday afternoon. "

While playgrounds are usually centred around children, the makeover at Anderson Park tells a different story.

It will offer opportunities for adults and children to play together, to support exploration and adventure and to build memories.

"This playground has been one of Council's priority projects for some time and it is a thrill to see it completed and ready to inspire and challenge Napier's youngsters," Mayor Bill Dalton says.

The deadline for name suggestions closes Friday and community members are able to email ideas directly to the Napier City Council comms@napier.govt.nz or comment on their Facebook Page www.facebook.com/napiercitycouncil