A new level of accessible play is coming to the Gould Reserve Playground at Takapuna Beach this summer with the official opening of some exciting upgrades to the popular play space on 16 December.
“There’s some really cool new equipment going in at Takapuna Beach, including the first public accessible swing that allows the user to swing themselves, an accessible seesaw and spring car that chairs can be wheeled onto for independent play,” explains Steph Westmore from Auckland Council’s Parks and Community Facilities team.
“There’s also talk tubes and singing flowers that provide multi-sensory stimulation.” The accessible swing will be surrounded by a sensory garden of ornamental planting that provides year-round perfumed flowers, which are scheduled to be planted in April.
These features will be placed near the reserve’s recently-upgraded toilet block that includes a fully accessible Changing Places bathroom.
The project has been paid for primarily by Takapuna locals, the Reeves family, with the Devonport-Takapuna Local Board funding connecting paths to new accessible barbeques and picnic tables with views onto the Hauraki Gulf and Rangitoto Island.
Other upgrades include a monorail cart, slide, tunnel, balance beams and trampoline.
Local Board chair Toni van Tonder, who will be MCing the opening event, is proud to see this project coming to Takapuna.
“Huge thanks to the Reeves family for making this contribution to the families of Takapuna so that there are more play options available that make all our tamariki and rangatahi feel included. And thank you also to the council staff whose hard work has made this happen in time for the summer break.”
Find out more about the opening event on 16 December on the local board’s Facebook page here.
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