A design for the new John Street Playground has this week been released for community feedback.
In September last year Council sought community input into the process with a survey that attracted 60 responses and a community drop-in session.
Council recently went out to market for the project, using that rich community input in the project brief.
Play space design and build specialist company Creo – who recently completed the Clyde River Park playground – have been chosen as the project partner to deliver the playground. The company has prepared a 3D concept video and static posters for the community to check out the design – which are available to view on Council’s website and at the Ranfurly Service Centre, Māniatoto Library and the Ranfurly i-SITE.
The intention is to put play equipment orders in by late September and for installation in Autumn 2023.
But before plans get locked in and orders placed Council’s project team is keen to check in with community to see what they think of the concept.
CODC Parks Officer – Projects Marie Gordon said the proposed concept “incorporates play pieces that have been selected to provide a variety of play types and challenges for users of all ages and abilities”.
“The star element in the centre is a 6m high structure that will encourage intergenerational play with both junior and more advanced play options in a shared space. The other two new features – the rope swing net and basket pendulum swing are inclusive pieces that provide play opportunities for users of all abilities too.”
The design includes retaining some existing playground items (swing set and ‘wobblies’) but giving them a makeover to complement the colour theme of the new playground, helping stretch the $200,000 upgrade budget further.
More detail about the design is available on Council’s engagement platform - including a 3D concept video and the concept plan on a page.
Members of the public are invited to give the concept a rating on a 5-point scale and feedback via an online survey at https://lets-talk.codc.govt.nz that will be open until 11 September.
