Upper Hutt Mad About Playgrounds and Play Money

Michael from Trentham

UHCC have spend ratepayers money on children's and young person's playgrounds like it grows on plastic.

I would estimate in the last two-three years, the Council has spent five million dollars on upgrading Upper Hutt children's playgrounds. Some of it a hit or miss as to the popularity of some playground items.

But the Council won't spend a dollar on a single small dog playground even though most of the funding for it could be channelled from exorbitant dog registration fees and other exorbitant fees related to dogs.

A small dog playground at Trentham Memorial Park with permanent agility circuit-type implements/obstacles would cost probably only several thousands of dollars. And there are many more people with dogs who visit TMP weekly than there are children and their caregivers visit the TMP children's playground.

Upper Hutt doesn't need a devoted, separate dog park for various reasons and should not entertain such a development but a small playground with permanently installed weather proof tunnels, hurdles, a-frame, bridge, dog walking plank, hoop would be a welcomed fun amenity for some dogs and their handlers. The Christchurch greater area has nine of them.