The Whitford Point Reserve playground concept design has been approved by Franklin Local Board.
The project will now proceed to the detailed design and construction phase, with council staff praised for their engagement with local communities, and willingness to incorporate their ideas into the design concept.
Board deputy chair and Wairoa representative Angela Fulljames says a good number of residents provided feedback during consultation and the design was updated with some changes made in response to that feedback.
The Whitford Point Reserve playground was identified as a renewal project and the carpark was added at the board’s request after community feedback.
The park is on the Kawakawa Bay coast directly off the Clevedon-Kawakawa Bay Road, an area prone to flooding and coastal erosion.
Community feedback largely centred on concerns about the often busy road, so that the concept plan now includes fully fencing the relevant area to keep park users safe, and especially to prevent children going on the road.
And because the area is significant to mana whenua Ngāi Tai, the main iwi of Kawakawa Bay, footpath stencilling has been introduced in designs of the eagle ray (whai keo) and sprat (kupae), important food sources from the moana.
Whitford Point Reserve is the only playground in Kawakawa Bay and is surrounded by established pathways, an informal kick around space and large mature trees to provide shade.
Kawakawa Bay itself is a popular family picnic spot with boat ramp facilities and water activities.
