Mandy Kimber » Children’s Play Areas

So close to the playground!

Mandy — Mon, 03 Jan 2011 07:42:19 +0000

As you can see from the photos, the tree limb was oh so close to the play equipment, what happens next time!

Next to the playground and the Plunket rooms!

the tree must go!

Mandy — Mon, 03 Jan 2011 07:26:49 +0000

Yesterday a gigantic limb from the huge gum tree in the grounds of St Columbus church fell, without warning, on to the car park below. Fortunately no one was below the tree or a major tragedy would have occurred. The tree is estimated to be well over 100 years old and has an historical protection classification in HDC District Plan. An effort was made last year to get this classification removed, so the church could trim or even cut down the tree, allowing development the occur in the tree’s place. To me, the tree does not deserve this classification, as not only has it been proved seriously dangerous, but it isn’t even a NZ native! For goodness sake it’s Australian! As you can see from the photos, the tree is right next to a very popular children’s playground. This playground is hugely popular with many families in HN. The Plunket rooms, regularly visited by new mothers and their babies is also directly under the tree’s outermost branches. My grandchildren play on the play equipment often, but I will make sure they keep well clear of any part of the tree until it is cut down.

Palmbrook Playarea

Mandy — Wed, 11 Nov 2009 07:26:18 +0000

At the Community Services committee last Tuesday, the Council finally signed off the Palmbrook playarea suitable for preschool age children. This has taken over three years! The playarea will be erected with the proviso that if it causes any concerns for the residents, it will be relocated.

Play areas still under consultation

Mandy — Mon, 28 Sep 2009 01:03:41 +0000

Four weeks ago, on Father’s Day, I chaired a meeting at the Havelock North Community Centre to discuss a proposed play area at the Palmbrook reserve. About 50 people attended. Jennifer and Kirsty from HDC presented a brief on the play area design and possible position in the reserve. Many residents were understandably upset about the closeness of the play area to their houses. Some of the residents had been told there would be no development on the reserve when they bought their property some years ago. Since then they have seen many changes.

The proposed play area’s design is intended for preschoolers, who are unable to use the local school’s play facilities during the school day. The parents and grandparents of preschoolers who were present were delighted with the idea and design of what was proposed. As the meeting progressed, concerns were raised and others present quickly answered them. After an hour or so, the meeting generally agreed that the playarea was acceptable, as long as the commitment was made to move the play equipment if the location caused any problems or proved unsuitable. More consultation is currently underway by the council staff.

Dedicated Mum still battling for play areas

Mandy — Sun, 30 Nov 2008 01:15:12 +0000

I want to thank a very dedicated mother in Havelock North, Jane Parslow, who has been fighting for nearly two years to get the council to build a play area in the Arataki /Brookvale area. Due to a long wait by the council for a potential development to be finalised (in this financial climate, this developer has put his plans on hold) the play area development had also been postponed. However after a quick visit by council staff last week to the suggested area, plans are now being drawn up and the area will be finished early next year. Well done Jane.