A lot of little things happening around northern Shirley

Play Equipment at Macfarlane Park Macfarlane Park is seto get a skate ramp installed.

Many little things need doing in the area of Shirley bounded by Hills Road, Shirley Road, Marshland Road, Briggs Road and Akaroa Street.

That’s what the results of a report commissioned by the Shirley-Papanui Community Board have found.

Things such as supervised activities for young people, more recreation activities, a language nest for Pacific Island children or Kohanga Reo, a drop-in Centre for parents and perhaps childcare.

Community gardens, supergrans and co-operative projects such as a food bank, are needed.

Small businesses need to be encouraged and partnerships with schools developed further.

These are things that local residents can provide time, skills and expertise in.

Some things are already happening. The board has provided funding to the OSCAR (Out of School Care and Recreation) programme at Hammersley Park School, it has provided ongoing funding for school holiday programmes and is funding the construction of the pathway through Macfarlane Park.

Shirley board members also work closely with the local schools, supporting projects such as the relocation of Aoga Amata Aotearoa into Birch Grove School, and will help advocate with school and community proposals.

The Board also has input into the anti-graffiti campaign, supports initiatives from area community trusts and is networking with other agencies to provide strength to this community.

Not least of all, the board has provided the funding for a skate ramp facility in Macfarlane Park.