A fully revamped park on Clive Howe Road is now open for the serious business of fun.
Located next to Patumahoe School, Fulton Swim School and the Patumahoe Presbyterian Church, the playground received an upgrade as part of wider efforts directed by Auckland Council to provide more places across the region for recreation.
The playground had reached the end of its useful life and the equipment and the way the area was used no longer reflected current play area design, Franklin Local Board member Merritt Watson told the Times.
“This project is about renewing an ageing asset so that it continues to serve a growing community like Patumahoe well into the future,” he says.
“But this wasn’t about fixing a problem, it was about reinvesting in a valued community space. Playgrounds evolve and this upgrade allows us to refresh the area with a more modern, engaging design that supports learning through play and a wider range of ages.”
Public submissions were sought before work began and the playground’s neighbours have provided input from the outset, Watson adds.
“Local neighbours played an important role in shaping the final design. Their feedback helped inform how the playground would be laid out, which play elements were included, and how the space connects with the surrounding area,” he says.
“The school already has a well-equipped playground, so rather than duplicating that, the design for Clive Howe was approached as a complementary space, adding more variety and choice for children.
“The result is a refreshed, modern playground that complements existing facilities and continues to serve as a focal point for the local community.”
The park features various apparatus including a slide, a swing and climbing frames. Walkways have been improved and bricks from the original path have been repurposed in order to form a low wall between the playground and the walkway, which meets safety and sustainability aims.
Overall, the park is intended to work in harmony with its natural environment it retains large specimen trees, ensuring both a comfortable and inviting space, council confirms.
Other local parks – both on Jutland Road, Pukekohe – are also intended to bring more
scope for recreation to the town. The Jutland Reserve park now features new playground equipment, paths, fencing and landscaping.
It too was nearing the end of its operational lifespan, local board chair Alan Cole says.
“We’re excited to see the Jutland Reserve playspace reach completion. It opens up new opportunities for more of the community to have fun, catering to a wider range of ages while still retaining the open, green space.
“Just a short walk from Jutland Reserve is Ray Fausett Reserve playspace [also on Jutland Road]. Work at this site is expected to be completed by summer,” Cole adds. “Together with Jutland Reserve’s transformation, both sites will significantly enhance Pukekohe’s amenities including for the growing community within the Belmont subdivision.”
Another new park at Glenbrook Beach Reserve is also now open for the serious business of leisure.
