It is fantastic to see the work at Arnott Heights playground underway and making great progress. The 17 x 22 metre edging with capping is almost complete. The
first delivery of 35m3 of soft fall was delivered on Friday 23rd June, and approximately 3 more large truckloads are arranged. The builder is planning to be onsite later this week to commence the groundwork for the playground
equipment. Since the inception of the idea in 2019, the Arnott Heights community led by Leigh Sullivan, have shown great tenacity to see the project through.
The Arnott Heights Community Group has encountered a lot of hurdles, including Covid-19, labour shortages, funding shortages, learnings in safe playground compliance, and a realisation of the actual cost of playgrounds. We had design changes, and further funding applications followed by further design changes. Procurement, and poor weather have also played their part. Despite all these things, the project is underway!
Getting the design right wasn't simple, and it needed to be compliant. Some of the play equipment has ‘fall zones’ where ‘soft fall’ material is required and should be at least 300mm deep. Additional funding was required so that timber edging could be installed to hold the “soft fall” material.
The existing playground equipment, although older, is also very expensive to replace. So the play area was redesigned to accommodate the soft fall material and additional playground equipment.
Local businesses, agencies, and Council staff have all contributed to making this project happen. Because of this joint effort, the Arnott Heights community will have an extended and better playground for much less cost than if Council were to pay for one contractor to build the playground.
Congratulations to everyone involved and special thanks most of all to Leigh Sullivan, for his selfless effort to make this happen. Leigh isn’t finished yet and has additional plans to add a couple of picnic tables, make a compliant wheelchair-accessible pathway from the gates to the play area, and add some plants and landscaping.
The Arnott Heights Community Group: Leigh Sullivan, Bill Cashin, Ian Arnott, Chris Geddes, Tracey Feary, Racheal Thomas, Linda Sullivan, Jennifer Hanifin, Carol Cornall, Jensa Chapman, Liz Manning, Ken Foreman.
The Arnott Heights Community would appreciate anyone who can volunteer their time, to help wheelbarrow soft fall into place over the next two weeks. To register please email our Engagement and Communications Officer, Marina at Marina.tomasi@gdc.govt.nz or call 027 243 9381.
