18 July, 2024

Enter the Dragon: Asian theme on way for reserve

Money set aside for Fort Takapuna car park could fund playground

Asian-inspired concepts will be used in the design of a new destination playground at Knightsbridge Reserve, Forrest Hill.
Possibly part-funded by selling smaller Selwyn Reserve nearby or delaying car-park resurfacing at Fort Takapuna, the playground would be a first of its kind in the Devonport-Takapuna Local Board area.
While seeking to appeal to all comers, the proposed design would recognise strong Asian population numbers on the Shore, particularly in the north of the local-board area.
The theme would be reflected in a dragon’s-trail layout and a colourful garden, with seasonal planting rather than natives, a sheltered pergola-type structure and a shade tree and seating. Open space for exercises such as tai chi would be included and zones for badminton and table tennis are on the drawing board.
Two concept designs were presented to the local board at a workshop this month, along with price estimates including drainage improvements that ranged from $273,500 to $321,000.
Auckland Council community facilities and parks staff acknowledged a budget shortfall of $61,000 for the more expensive option and of $13,500 for option two in what they said was a scheduled $260,000 renewal of an existing playground in “poor condition”. They wanted a steer from the board on next steps.
Northern area manager Sarah Jones said the design ideas for the playground on Knightsbridge Dr were informed by community consultation late last year.
Those consulted included Forrest Hill Primary School and the North Shore Chinese Community Trust. Thirty people responded to council’s Have Your Say process online. Feedback showed a desire for a picnic area and green space, along with balance and climbing gear. There was interest in holding cultural events in a public setting and seeing Chinese-style structures incorporated.
A feature will be the dragon, depicted in a series of snaking play elements, from a head of wooden stilts to an earth-mound slide for a tail.
Board members agreed the opportunity to create something special was worth working on further, even if the cost meant losing something else. Chair Toni van Tonder said: “I’d rather supercharge a single location than do lots of fiddly little things.”
Gavin Busch suggested if the board sold Selwyn Reserve – identified earlier in an asset review as having little use – proceeds could go towards the playground. “Selwyn is just a section that council has picked up at the end of a driveway,” he said, while Knightsbridge Reserve could become “a statement piece for the middle of the Shore”.
Jones said she would speak to council property arm Eke Panuku about Selwyn Reserve, but a quicker way to pay for the project would be to transfer $125,000 set aside towards car-park work at Fort Takapuna in Narrow Neck. That sum was insufficient to do the car park in any case, she said.
Members liked the idea of diverting the car-park funds. Van Tonder said there was an opportunity to create something with inter-generational appeal for the growing population in Forrest Hill. “Selwyn Reserve, I’ve got my eye on for Francis St -Esmonde Rd,’ she said, referring to board hopes of building a pedestrian and cycle link in Hauraki.
Members favoured expanding the playground size, rather than the cheaper option which would drop some elements popular with the Asian community such as a badminton area. “It was the No 1 popular sport for Asian groups,” staff said.
A court could also double for pickle ball, but might be done more cheaply by installing matting rather than a concrete court.
Member George Wood: “If we’re going to do it, let’s do it properly.”
Member Mel Powell said an upgrade would “draw more people into an awesome park”. She suggested seeking community support in helping with the garden and engaging with the Dragon Trust and Milestone Trust, which supported Asian groups, to see if they might be interested in helping fund aspects of the playground.
Jones said she had found such groups generally did not contribute to council projects.
She said she would return to the board in a few months with a plan that would allow the work to be done in stages. This would take in the cost of a suggested drinking fountain and a power point for performances. Some existing play equipment, such as swings, may be able to be reused to offset costs, she said.
The board will then decide on the final scope of the project. Construction could start as soon as next year.

Please consider supporting The Rangitoto Observer by clicking here: