Omokoroa new playground design released for community feedback
Released today for public feedback, Omokoroa’s new playground draft concept design is full of ideas contributed by students from local schools including harbour themes, climbing structures, swings, trampolines and tunnels.
The new playground is part of the revamp of the Omokoroa Domain and Esplanade by Western Bay of Plenty District Council, in partnership with local tangata whenua Pirirākau Hāpu.
Council’s project team and a local landscape architect, have presented the draft concept design to Omokoroa No 1, Omokoroa Point, Pahoia, Whakamarama and Te Puna schools over the past month.
The design is available for feedback from the wider community from Monday, 23 December to Friday, 31 January 2020.
Local schools, Tangata Whenua, representatives of the elderly and disability communities have all been part of the community engagement in the design process over the past 12 months.
The school students embraced the playground project with enthusiasm and it was part of their term two curriculum this year to translate their ideas into models and artwork. These were showcased to the community at a special event at the Omokoroa Boat Club in July.
The design includes themes of the harbour location, seafood gathering, tidal movement and interactive adventure play equipment including swings, trampolines, tunnels, climbing structures and a hamster wheel. It will also incorporate cultural art work and themes, in consultation with Pirirākau.
Council’s project leader Scott Parker says the input of the school pupils has given the playground its unique character and he has no doubt the community will love the final result.
“It has been exciting for the kids to see how their ideas have been translated into the final concept design – this was always the result we were seeking and reflects the importance of involving the community from the start of a project such as this.”
Construction timing of the new playground depends on the total cost of the project against the available budget. Some design features may need to be deferred but Council expects to have new equipment in place before the 2020 summer.
To view the concept design and take part in the feedback, click here.
