Work to restart on Flaxmere Park playground, and its future 7.2m climbing frame

An artist's impression of the new and improved Flaxmere playground.PHOTO/SUPPLIED

Flaxmere Park playground will be sporting a 7.2 metre high climbing frame in time for Matariki celebrations.

A Hastings District Council spokesperson says work on the upgrade of the playground will resume on March 4.

The upgrade was delayed last year amid concerns the new play equipment would not arrive in time for it to be ready in time for the Christmas and New Year holidays.

"The playground equipment gets shipped from overseas, and the council couldn't be confident that it would arrive in time to ensure that the playground could open prior to Christmas.

"The main priority was to have a splash pad and playground available to the Flaxmere community over the busy summer season and following consultation with local councillors and community it was decided it was best to wait until the new year to commence work."

The 17-hectare Flaxmere Park has been undergoing an overall upgrade as part of a $1.2 million, 10-year plan for the park and work is set to be completed by June.

"Over the last seven years, $900,000 of that money has been spent on the likes of a new splash pad, new toilets, fencing, lighting, car parking, picnic furniture, exercise stations and the shared walking and cycling track.

"Feedback from the Flaxmere community indicated a desire for the rest of the funds to be spent on play equipment, which has now all been purchased and includes a 7.2m high climbing frame – the tallest in the district," says the spokesperson.

Successful funding applications to Trust House Community Enterprise ($25,000) and First Light Community Foundation ($20,000) meant a new large slide tower could also be purchased.

Flaxmere ward councillor Henare O'Keefe says the public's heartfelt thoughts and wishes have been a vital part of the make-up of the redevelopment.

"This park is for the people, by the people, of the people."

He believes it is timely and appropriate for the completion of the park set to coincide with the Matariki celebrations in June, heralding the start of a new year.