Ashburton Domain’s ‘adhoc’ playground not up to standard

The Team Reporter from The Press

From local democracy reporter Jonathan Leask:

Ashburton Domain's popular playground may have to be rebuilt because it’s been described as an adhoc setup - and its raised wooden edging may be dangerous.

Park Central, the national playground compliance specialists, have completed an audit of the Ashburton District Council’s playgrounds and they’ve recommended the entire Ashburton Domain playground be “reviewed and an overall plan/design is put in place”.

The report states that various playground items and equipment “have been added into the play space in an adhoc manner” and “the surfaces are scattered through the area without any cohesion”.

Its raised wooden edging was an accessibility issue, while the use of bark chip mulch was not a modern children’s landing option.

The Ashburton District Council’s 30-year Ashburton Domain redevelopment, signed off in 2020, already lays out plans for an overhaul.

“Staff are in discussions with the playground inspector and designers,” council community services group manager, Steve Fabish, said.

There’s no timeframe or budget because that would be part of the upcoming activity management plan and long-term plan processes, he said.

The audit would factor that planning into any changes, which could see the upgrade brought forward, he said.

“Possibly, but the overall priority status of general district-wide requirements in playgrounds shall influence the timeline.”

The Ashburton Domain was joined by nine other locations recommended for a full renewal, including the Methven, Rakaia, and Tinwald Domains.

The report assessed 229 individual play assets at 28 district sites, excluding the Lake Clearwater playground, which was unable to be accessed due to bad weather at the time.

The council’s playground assets were valued at $4,001,800 and all equipment was measured against various standards depending on when it was installed, with 93 items being non-compliant.

There were 139 maintenance issues requiring attention at an estimated cost of $40,710, which Fabish said would be addressed this year.

He also said that improving accessibility in all playgrounds was a work in progress.

“Staff will implement changes when and where possible and in conjunction with other site works.”