Community input sought on new Turangi playground
The Turangi community is being asked for input on a new papa tākaro (playground) to be built at Te Kapua Park.
The park is owned by Ngāti Tūrangitukua and is managed by Taupō District Council, and while there is an existing play area and basketball courts located in the middle of the park, the equipment is no longer fit for purpose and is therefore not well utilised. Calls for better and more family friendly play facilities catering to a wider age group led to Ngāti Tūrangitukua and Taupō District Council forming a partnership to create a new destination play space, and following a request from the Turangi Tongariro Community Board an initial budget of $450,000 was approved in Council’s 2021/22 Annual Plan.
It is envisaged that the project will be split into stages developed over multiple years, but with each stage adding immediate value in its own right.
Project Manager Pete Bradshaw said the aim of the project was to create a play space that was an asset for Turangi, with a theme that told the story of the Tongariro River Delta as seen from above.
“We want the papa tākaro to reflect the unique nature of Turangi,” Mr Bradshaw said. “We also want it to help educate park users on local culture and history through stories and themes incorporated into the design, and Ngāti Tūrangitukua have kindly shared these stories relating to the various areas of the river.”
Southern Lake Taupo Engagement Partner Marama Isherwood said a key goal of the project was to create a vibrant new papa tākaro that provided engaging and safe play facilities for tamariki and mokopuna in Turangi – an age group that has not been catered to for some time.
“We want this to be something our tamariki can really enjoy that features a variety of ways they can play, but also that shares stories of the surrounding rohe, such as the Tongariro River and maunga important to the people of Turangi,” she said. “We know the community also want a space that attracts people to the town centre, which will bring visitors to Turangi and help with the local economy while providing a fun place for tamariki to play and learn.
“To ensure local tamariki can share what kind of things they’d like at the playground, we’ll be partnering with Ngāti Tūrangitukua to talk to the youngest members of our community as we finalise what the papa tākaro looks like and what kind of play equipment is included. We’ll also have opportunities for people to get involved with tree planting and artwork for the site as the playground takes shape. We want the whole Turangi community to be proud of this papa tākaro so we’re asking for feedback to ensure this space can be something everyone can enjoy.”
Marama said an online survey is now open for the community to participate in, while feedback can also be given at the Turangi iSite.
