Kowhai Park is open

Published on 07 January 2016

7 January 2016

Kowhai Park, one of Whanganui’s best loved attractions which has been closed since the June floods, will reopen tomorrow, Friday, January 8.

Although most of the park will be open for the public to enjoy, Whanganui District Council Senior Parks Officer Wendy Bainbridge says not everything will be ready.

“At this stage, we don’t expect the water park or the Tot Town Railway to be working by Friday, but it shouldn’t be long before these features are up and running.

“The ground is still patchy in parts and there are prickles in the grass so please wear shoes. Most of the play equipment needs painting which will happen later in the year.

“We also want people to know it will be another 12 months before Kowhai Park is back to looking like it was before the floods, but we are getting there.

“On a more positive note, four new swings have been installed, including two basket swings for group play, a disability swing for use for people with limited movement and a rope swing. We will also be looking at creating a pathway from the carpark to the disability swing in the near future.”

Mayor Annette Main acknowledged the patience of the public during the time it has taken to get the park ready for opening.

“Everyone who has worked hard to get the park to this stage, including the Department of Corrections team, Lions, Queen Alexandra’s Mounted Rifles, Horizons Regional Council, BNZ, Rotary and of course our own Council parks team, deserves a huge thank you.

“It’s great to have the gates open for the summer season for locals and visitors to enjoy.”

Mayor Main said there may be an event later in the year to celebrate the reopening of the park.