Council staffer Robert Hutchinson probably didn’t think he’d have to explain how the elderly could use a proposed playground at a Marlborough committee meeting.
But a question from councillor Deborah Dalliessi left the parks and public spaces officer scrambling to explain how a balance beam was “for many ages”.
The question came on Tuesday as the Marlborough District Council approved $488,000 from the $1.4m land subdivision reserve to build the new recreational space on Vickerman St in Grovetown.
“I’m really interested [in] a good example of inviting intergenerational space into one … what do you have that is elder friendly?” Dalliessi asked.
“No, it’s about the kids going with their grandparents,” councillor Gerald Hope said, to quiet laughter around the room.
Hutchinson, stumbling over his words slightly, explained that seating was one of several elements that were “for many ages”.
“It is the oversized picnic table, the barbecue, but there is also the swing frames, swing seats,” Hutchinson said.
A path was planned that would be suitable for wheelchair and walking stick access Hutchinson said, and there would be musical instruments.
“[And] balance beams, if you wish to give it a give it a crack.”
Chief executive John Boswell chuckled from his seat.
Hutchinson said the council purchased the undeveloped Grovetown reserve on Vickerman St in 2010 to link the township to the Rail Trail.
But a recent survey conducted by the council revealed Grovetown residents needed a community and recreational space.
Hutchison said the design for the playground was made in collaboration with mana whenua, Grovetown school and the community.
“The design team … have done a great job in taking the wishes and the conversations and converting them into a really robust and rather exciting design,“ Hutchinson said.
The design featured a playground with shade sails, including the elderly-friendly balance beam, and a communal barbecue and a picnic table. The area would be surrounded by trees to provide extra shade.
Councillor Matt Flight said he liked the plan for the space but questioned the public reaction to approving the proposal so close to an election.
“[I’m] going to sound completely political on this… I was under the assumption that these sorts of proposals weren’t being brought into council during [the] running of an election phase,” Flight said.
Councillor Gerald Hope agreed public perception of the decision might be negative but said the council should not push off decisions for political expediency.
“[The proposal has] been sitting around for seven years,” Hope said.
“I’d be disappointed if it was deferred for political reasons. I think you’ve got to cut that out of it.”
Hope asked Hutchinson if the timeliness of the proposal was business as usual. “Or have you loaded this into the system to favour the members of [Wairau-Awatere] ward?”
Hutchinson said he did not vote in the Wairau-Awatere ward and the timing of the proposal was not affected by the election.
“It’s just happened to appear at this time,” Hutchinson said.
Mayor Nadine Taylor said there was no reason to push off the decision other than public perception.
“I would point out… there isn’t actually an election in that ward,” Taylor said.
“But beyond that, there is no reason that we shouldn’t [decide]. And if we indeed were to delay it, then I presume that we [would] lose a contracting period or a planting period.”
Councillor David Croad welcomed the proposal but said the council needed to more carefully prioritise what what it funded with the land subdivision reserve, given how many requests it received for the funds.
The land subdivision reserve was a levy charged to property developers to pay for the increased use of parks and open spaces.
It was lately used to fund $72,000 in upgrades for the Blenheim Skatepark.
“I look forward to us developing that priority,” Croad said.
By Kira Carrington for Local Democracy Reporting
LDR is local body journalism co-funded by RNZ and NZ On Air.
