Splash of ... safety

Contractors John Grounden (left) and Michael Coote apply a colourful non-skid coating to Hatea Loop Walkway. Photo / John Stone

The Hatea Loop walkway is getting a practical splash of colour with the installation of an anti-slip coating on the wooden boardwalk.

Work installing the coating wrapped up yesterday, which was done in response to complaints to Whangarei District Council from loop users, who found the wooden sections too slippery.

WDC landscape architect Tracey Moore said the 150 metres between the Town Basin playground and Reyburn House were designed to look "playful and vibrant".

"The greens, blues, teal and yellow were selected to reflect our natural environment - bush and coastal areas," she said.

Further along in the sculpture park, the timber boardwalk and the triangular bump-outs had also had the anti-slip installed in past weeks.

Ms Moore said these sections were a crushed granite or amber colour to integrate with existing paving and features.

"They're subdued hues so as not to detract from the artwork," she said.

Ms Moore said the council was responding to health and safety concerns after several users slipped in the area.

The work cost the council about $70,000.

In August last year, Mikayla Worth fell while carrying her baby. Both were uninjured, but Ms Worth was shaken by the incident and asked the council to take action.

Other users had also complained.