Huge state-of-the-art climbing frame included in million dollar plan for Cornwall Park

Major renovations could be on the cards for Cornwall Park, pictured here in summer. Photo / Supplied.

A massive piece of play equipment that will have Hastings kids climbing high is being considered for Cornwall Park, as planning for a major upgrade of the district's premier park get under way.

Just over $1 million was approved for the project in this year's Long Term Plan process.

The focus will be on the playground area, doubling its size and including equipment for all ages, and linking it strongly with the Harold Holt Begonia House.

The draft plan shows a paved area between the new play area and the begonia house, suitable for the likes of food and drink carts.

Chairs and tables will be available to be set out either on the grass or inside the begonia house, depending on the weather.

"Cornwall Park is one of our district's most loved parks. The playground is so popular with children that I often see them lining up for a swing or a slide," said Hastings Mayor Sandra Hazlehurst.

"We all grew up feeding the ducks in the duck pond and sitting on the stone lion statues. The expansion is incredibly exciting and we look forward to discussing our ideas with the community."

The plan and all of its elements will go out for public consultation in August, before a final design is decided upon.

Areas within the park that will stay include the splash pad, playing fields, the grassed event space, Osmanthus Gardens, Harold Holt House, and the historic trees and stone bridges.

In order to accommodate the larger playground and for health and safety reasons, the draft envisages that a short length of the stream will be piped and grassed over, between the two historic bridges.

That will allow for six closely connected play areas; the first with the existing splash pad and a picnic area, the second home to a signature piece of play equipment, the third an area of play equipment for the over 10s, the fourth focused on sand play, the fifth an area of equipment with a focus on accessibility, and the last featuring equipment for adults.
A new public toilet facility is included in the plans.

Before the draft plan goes out for public consultation, staff have asked playground equipment providers for quotes for key playground equipment. One of those being considered is a large state-of-the-art climbing frame which can be used by up to 120 children at a time.

Other parks to receive funding in the LTP include $4m for the redevelopment of Windsor Park, but planning for that has been pushed out after a decision was made to include Splash Planet in the overall plan.

Windsor will be the last to undergo a major upgrade, with Flaxmere and Havelock North's Village Green both redeveloped within the last 10 years.

Community playgrounds and reserves that have funding allocated to them over the next 10 years, with the majority of the funding in years four to 10, include Cape Coast ($1.2m), Raureka parks ($950,000), Waimarama ($487,000), Flaxmere Park ($530,000), rural reserves ($170,000) and Tainui Reserve ($320,000).