Pihanga Reserve playground opens
8 July 2015
Children and their parents turned out in their droves for the official opening of the new Pihanga Reserve playground yesterday.
The opening marked the end of the first stage of the Pihanga Reserve project, a collaborative effort between the community and Taupo District Council. It has been led by the Tauhara Community Support Initiative (TCSI) with the support of the council.
The project saw the area landscaped, some basic play equipment installed and a concrete path created. The landscaping will allow for future development coordinated by the initiative, which has developed a plan that will see the reserve used by all members of the community, if and when they can fund it. Ideas for the playground and community space came out of consultation with the community that lives around Pihanga Reserve.
Senior pastor Gemma Stevens from the local Advance Church gave a blessing before the playground was officially opened with the cutting of a ribbon by Deputy Mayor Barry Hickling.
Council's group manager of policy and operations Gareth Green said it was great to see the finished result of a productive collaboration between the council and community. It's good to see so many children and families are embracing this playground already. It's a fantastic result to come out of some positive community collaboration, he said.
TCSI founding member Jeannie Short was a driving force behind the playground's creation and said she was ecstatic with the development so far. It is the most amazing thing, she said. We've been flooded with supportive messages. This has shown a community can be responsible for their own area and work with the council in a partnership. Our kids deserve this.
She said the playground and landscaping was a small part of the larger project but she hoped it would expand in the years to come. We want to consult with the community about what they want to make sure they're happy with the plans, and find the funding the make it all happen, she said.
Long-time resident Joanne Dunn has lived across the road from the reserve for nearly 20 years and has been eagerly anticipating a development that her grandchildren and great grandchildren could use. It's going to be well used and I'm going to spend a lot of time over here, she said. I'm rapt with it. I'm grateful for all those who have been involved and got it going.
TCSI wants to create a community space that caters to the elderly, toddlers and all ages in between. There are plans to add furniture, a drinking fountain, fruit trees, gardens, more play equipment, a sports field and more.
Fundraising activities, working bees and sponsorship proposals are being planned to help the project move beyond the first stage in the future.
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FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:
Lisa Nairne Communications Manager 07 376 0762 027 839 8410
Vicki Waterhouse Communications Advisor 07 376 0718 027 484 2549
Taupo District Council
www.taupo.govt.nz
