Faulkner Bush play space a destination

Children will be able to let their imagination run wild at Wakefield’s new Faulkner Bush play space which is now a “destination playground”.

The Faulkner Bush Scenic Reserve play space opened to families this week, with the community chipping in with logs, rocks and equipment to create something special. It now boasts a swing set, accessible carousel that is designed to move slowly for little ones, seesaw, agility set with nets and ropes, bars for swinging and climbing over, and slides.

Large logs donated by a local forest company snuggle into the bark chip for children to play on, while smaller logs have been made into stepping logs and made into ‘stilts’. A climbing wall has options for children and still there is the original flying fox.

Anna Nagrow from the Wakefield Community Council says the community came together with donations to add to the Tasman District Council project and the result befits the impressive podocarp forest in the reserve.

“It was going to be a replacement set and we decided we have such a beautiful slice of bush and need a great playground to go with it. So, we approached the committee and got community feedback and presented it to the Tasman District Council and they absolutely loved it.”

Crucial in the feedback from the community was retaining the much-loved flying fox. Fellow committee member, Melissa Woodhouse, says she is blown away by the end result.

“I’m amazed; blown away. We wanted a place where children can create their own play without being led. My teenagers would come here as well.”

It is, as another committee member, Julian Eggers, says: “a destination playground”.

This is stage one of the playground upgrade, with more work staged over several years.

By the end of the year, Anna says the existing rotunda beside the playground will have a barbeque and seating around it. Beyond that, the carpark will be upgraded, entrance revamped, and signage added. Further down the track, more is planned for the playground such as a climbing tower, depending on funding, she says.

Nelmac crew leader Matt Farrell has been overseeing the build of the new playground and says he can’t wait to take his nine grandchildren there to enjoy it.

For real excitement, he points to the spinner which the crew have “affectionately named the kids’ chucker”.

“Once you get it moving, it will spin for about 20 minutes.”