Port Rd park to add another stop along Hatea Loop

Recreational Services construction labourer Deon Irvine smooths out loose gravel at the pocket park on Port Rd. Photo/Michael Cunningham

The colourful "pocket park" in central Whangarei is set to open later this month.

The park, sandwiched between two businesses on Port Rd, will link Okara Shopping Centre with the popular Hatea Loop.

Whangarei District Council infrastructure and services project engineer Rachel Mannion said the council is aiming to officially open the park on July 30.

She said initially the council was hoping to have it finished by the end of June however a few things took longer than anticipated and the weather "wreaked havoc" with plans.

In particular the sandpit took longer than planned, and the plans had to be tweaked as building progressed.

Miss Mannion said the park has turned out better than she expected.

"The space has opened right up, it's looking bigger than I imagined."

She said the rest of the footpaths still had to be laid, and the deck and seating around the sandpit had to be installed.

The turf and the plants will be the last things added to the park before it is opened, in just under two weeks time, weather permitting.

"It was important for us to take a bit longer and get things right."

When finished, the park will feature a large sandpit with play equipment, seating and a deck where children can play and adults can relax.

"We tried to keep it quite an open place."

Two brightly painted murals frame the sides of the park, which will also feature pedestrian lighting and CCTV cameras.

The park was created with reused, salvaged materials and will have an industrial and marine feel.

The park will be an alternative to the larger Town Basin playground, and adds another place to stop along the loop circuit.

In February this year, the council called for name suggestions for the park from the public. Those names have been collated and are going through a selection process.