HCA Playground Committee: 2021 End of Year Update
Here’s an update from the HCA Playground Committee, to give our community information on where we are at with the play-space development, and what we can expect in 2022.
Concept Designs
Our Landscape Architect, Erica Gilchrist, is currently working on developing the brief and concept designs for both Reserves. Erica forms a key part of our Playground Committee and is working alongside a colleague on the designs. Both are very experienced in playground design and we’re so lucky to have them on board, they are very generously donating their time and expertise.
The results of the survey undertaken earlier this year have been a critical part in forming the brief. Once the concept designs are ready, they will be reviewed by QLDC, and then brought back to the Hawea community for further consultation and feedback – likely a secondary survey. Our key focus is to make sure the playgrounds are in line with what the community wants as a whole.
We’re anticipating the concept designs will be ready to present for community feedback in the first quarter of next year.
Funding
Our committee is already working on fundraising opportunities as they arise, however this will be a strong focus throughout 2022 as we gain a better understanding of costs associated with the finalised concept designs. We have received some wonderful donations from our community already, along with some seed funding from QLDC. We will approach several other Trusts in the area throughout 2022 as funding applications open.
A special mention to Aaron from St Ninians Church, who organised a wonderful local art exhibition at the church in November, raising $2000 to go towards the play-spaces. Hāwea Flat School also displayed their playground designs. Thank you so much!
For fundraising leads or donations, please contact playgrounds@haweacommunity.nz.
Art Exhibition at St Ninians Church
Hāwea Community Visioning Forum
Committee member, Erica Gilchrist attended this forum held at the Hāwea Community Centre on the 13 November. The attending community group was guided through a process that led to gaining an understanding of challenges and issues that were important. The key to success was considered to be community and collaboration, for the main issues of growth and infrastructure. The future vision was for a sustainable, inclusive and connected community. The group identified need for design guidelines and planning for the area, including well connected spaces suitable for all demographics of the community to gather casually and for events.
Shaping Our Future - Hāwea Community Visioning Forum
Hawea Flat School Involvement
This term, Hāwea Flat School had a theme of ‘change’. The Junior School used the play-space development as a fitting project. Jess from the Playground Committee visited the school for a talk and a survey. The students then spent a week working on their own playground designs. The following Friday, the students walked to Long Grass Place where they presented their designs to our Landscape Architect, Erica. We chatted about the playgrounds, had a picnic and games. A great way to connect our community into the project and hear the important opinions of the people who will be using the playgrounds the most!
Hāwea Flat School students visiting Long Grass Place Reserve
Playground designs from Hāwea Flat School students - plenty of great ideas for Erica to work with!
Kahu Youth Trust & Skate Park
We have been approached by some concerned Hāwea Flat residents, after hearing rumours that Kahu Youth Trust have consent and funding to build an expensive concrete skate park at Long Grass Place Reserve. We’d like to take this opportunity to set the record straight and hopefully alleviate any concerns. Here is the statement from Kahu Youth Trust:
“Kahu Youth Trust has absolutely no plans or intentions to build a skate park at Long Grass Place Reserve or Sentinel Park. We provide a social service that focuses on youth development. We do not manage property or facilities.
We do support and are grateful for the QLDC Parks & Reserves and Hawea Community Association Playground Committee in their important work of creating safe spaces for young people to be active and enjoy with their friends and families.
If you have any questions regarding Kahu Youth Trust's work, please don't hesitate to get in contact by emailing manager@kahuyouthtrust.org.
This being said, the Playground Committee are taking into account the communities request for skate features/facilities and exploring options for how we can incorporate this into the spaces (without being a dedicated ‘skate park’ as such).
Questions?
We strongly encourage any residents with concerns or questions to email the Playground Committee at playgrounds@haweacommunity.nz. We’re a group of 5 volunteers, all members of the Hāwea community, and we will do our best to get back to you as soon as possible.
