Wainoni playground gets new lease of life

A collaboration between a local Wainoni business and Christchurch City Council will see an old playground opened with a new lease of life this weekend.

Lucas Taylor, aged 3, enjoying the revamped Shortland playground at Wainoni.

Shortland Playground in Wainoni faced an uncertain future when the new Wainoni PAK’nSAVE was rebuilt on its door step.

But a joint effort from Council and PAK’nSAVE will see the revamped playground opened to the public with a public planting day this weekend.

Christchurch City Council Head of Parks Andrew Rutledge said PAK’nSAVE had approached the Council in April last year with an idea to keep the playground open.

“There was initial concern that the new supermarket would diminish surveillance and clear sight lines through the reserve and into the park.

“But the owner/operator PAK’nSAVE had observed that the reserve was being well used by the community and that they had suitable surveillance from their staff room. The business came on board and met the Council dollar for dollar with the design and upgrade to the space,” Mr Rutledge said.

Improvements included removing the existing boundary fence with PAK’nSAVE, removing large plants that were blocking sight lines, tidying up existing garden beds and planting around 300 new plants, a play surface and new paved surfaces.

“It's great to see the community and local businesses getting involved with Council in the provision of parks and playgrounds. The park is well utilised by the community and did require some repairs as well as safety improvements following the rebuild of Wainoni PAK’nSAVE. Council had some funding to complete some minor repairs, however with PAK’nSAVE matching Council funding, we were able to develop a space that was more community focused.

“The $50,000 contribution from PAK’nSAVE has kept the playground open for community use. Their funding has allowed for the relocation of some equipment and the removal of some plants to improve sightlines into the park which makes the park safer for the community. They have designed their staffrooms so they look out over the park which also assists with passive surveillance of the space.”

Council will hold a community planting day and playground opening this Sunday, June 18 at 11am.