As part of the Aranui Community Renewal Project, ideas and suggestions on how to improve Wainoni Park were gathered from the community. Contributions came from many sources, including local schools who contributed art work that reflected children’s perceptions about the park.

A design group made up of local residents working alongside Council Staff was formed, to assess the most popular ideas and incorporate them into a user-friendly park for all the community. A preliminary concept plan is available to view at the Aranui Community and Housing Information Centre on Marlow Road, the Shirley Service Centre, and the Parks and Waterways Unit in Civic Offices.

Council Planner, Kelly Hansen, says that one of the most important concerns is safety in the park, and the group is looking at ways to improve this. “Options include having more road frontage and houses facing onto the park, enabling people to see what is going on there, and helping to make it safer. These ideas will be looked at more closely in future.”

As well as upgrading play facilities, other possibilities being considered are sports areas, skate facilities, gardens and pathways, barbecues and picnic areas, toilets and a stage for music and break dancing.

To become involved in the park renewal or to find out more about what’s being planned, please phone Chris Fourie, Parks and Waterways Area Advocate, on 386 0914, or Kelly Hansen, Parks and Waterways Planner, on 941 8688.