On Sunday, January 19th, the Clarks Beach and Waiau Pa community came together to celebrate the grand opening of their brand-new playground, Ngahere Ki Uta, located on Stevenson Road. The day was a joyful culmination of nearly a decade of planning and effort, showcasing a spectacular facility that has far exceeded community expectations.
Alan Cole, Deputy Chair of the Franklin Local Board and FLB representative for Clarks Beach and Waiau Pa district, spearheaded the push for an upgrade back in 2015. “This has been a long journey, but the Board is delighted with what we’ve achieved. At just over $3 million, it cost more than we’d originally planned, but by not rushing the job we’ve been able to deliver a much better product. As a result, the community’s vision has been brought to life in a way that’s even better than we imagined.”
The Board also did an excellent job of consultation. Eighteen months ago, the community shared their wish list with the design team, and every item on that list has been incorporated, plus more. In addition, the entry is bookmarked by two beautiful po, contributed by the two local iwi, Ngati Tamaoho and Ngati te Ata Waiohua.
Numbers of happy contractors and council representatives joined the celebration. Councillor Andy Baker was very impressed with what has been achieved by the project team and contractors, headed by Jason Lee from Auckland Council. “This is an outstanding community resource,” he said. “The construction guys have done everyone proud! I hear it’s already becoming a destination for nearby communities as well as the locals.”
Nina Rattray, the Auckland Council landscape architect behind the playground’s design, was on hand to witness the delight on children’s faces as they explored the space she’d envisaged. Her creativity included unique artistic features such as a stingray in 3-D, colourful crabs, and an orca, all seamlessly integrated into the ‘floor’ under the solid structures. “As well as the more usual playground structures," she said, “we wanted to include something to represent the local environment, hence the sea creatures common to the area.”
Local father Nick Borland was the community coordinator, pulling together a bustling BBQ team. The mobile job-site BBQ trailer was kindly loaned by Metro Hire, Pukekohe and consumables were generously provided by the Local Board. “I’ve been a strong supporter of this new playground for some years,” said Nick. “The kids are loving it, and the turnout has been amazing.”
Adding to the excitement, the Franklin Bulls professional basketball team, based in Pukekohe, mingled with local fans and demonstrated some moves.
The final highlight of the day was the Fire Brigade’s water spray, with children racing from all over the park to join in the fun.
As the day wound down, smiles and laughter filled the air, and the community basked in the success of their new recreational hub. “This playground is a game-changer for Clarks Beach,” said one parent. “It’s not just a place for kids to play; it’s a space for the whole community to come together.”
Ngahere Ki Uta is a testament to the power of community collaboration and a shining example of what can be achieved when vision and determination merge.
The future looks bright for Clarks Beach families as they enjoy this remarkable new space for years to come.
(photography supplied by Steve Fearon)
