A new playground in Raumati South, which is on the Kāpiti Coast, has won an award for being the best in New Zealand.
The Lorna Irene Drive Reserve playground was awarded the Playground of the Year at the 2023 New Zealand Parks Awards.
The playground has something for everyone, including wheelchair-accessible equipment, sensory play opportunities, and a safe space for all to enjoy. It also has New Zealand’s first wheelchair seesaw.
The playground was designed with input from the community, including families with children who have disabilities. The council worked with these families to make sure the playground was accessible and inclusive for everyone.
The playground has been a big hit with families since it opened in February. It is one of the few fully accessible playgrounds in the country, and it is making a big difference to families like Kash’s.
Kash has cerebral palsy, and before the new playground was built, he could not play on all of the equipment with his brother and sister. Now, they can all play together, and Kash is having much fun.
The council is proud of the new playground, and it is grateful to the community for their input. The playground is a great example of what can be achieved when people work together.
