It might be small, but it certainly is mighty, with something for everyone at the recently upgraded Othello Park playground.
Residents of Clover Park have welcomed the upgrade, which includes a basket swing, slide, stepping logs and a picnic table.
Ōtara-Papatoetoe local board Chair Apulu Reece Autagavaia says that the enhancements to the playground, demonstrates the board's commitment to investing in the local board area, in alignment with the goals outlined in its Local Board Plan.
“For years, the one thing we’ve heard from our community is that we don’t have good things in our area, the presence of well-designed playgrounds being one of them, which means our community end up having to go elsewhere.
“With Othello, we want our community to know that you don’t have to go far, you can go down to your local park and have a good time because this board has committed (in our local board plan) to ensure our people have access to excellent community facilities”, he says.
The project involved enhancing the playground and park furniture to offer children a stimulating, enjoyable, and secure play area.
The project also involved relocating the play space for a better view from Othello Drive as well as from neighbouring homes and street entry ways.
Apulu adds, “Ōtara-Papatoetoe has one of the youngest populations across the city after Māngere-Ōtāhuhu, so it makes sense that we should be investing in these things”.
The design accommodates play and crossover elements to early childhood and older age groups, and enhances the available network of play spaces in the area.
“In addition to Othello, we are proud to have the beloved Hayman Park playground, with more exciting additions planned for this year”, concludes Apulu.
The walkway that already existed has also been expanded to connect different pathways, and all equipment was locally manufactured apart from the spinning seesaw.
It is anticipated that in the coming future, the board will explore the possibility of implementing additional enhancements.
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