Councillor’s Comment: Playspace Taskforce established

Play is not a luxury but a necessity, and Nelson City Council’s commitment to building a destination playground in the city centre shows that we are stepping up our game.

It wasn’t necessary for my family to explore Aotearoa’s best playgrounds, such as the Town Basin and Pohe Island facilities at Whangārei or Christchurch’s Margaret Mahy, to know that Nelson has fallen behind in this critical area. Ask any local parent and they will say the same thing. 

The evidence is clear: Good-quality play leads to improved brain development, motor skills, and social capabilities. While it’s true that play can take place anywhere, it’s also true that parenthood is a tough gig. Many of us have grand visions of treehouse building and forest adventuring, but far too often the allure of technology at the end of a long day can feel like the only option. 

Many families are not afforded the luxury of a large backyard, or the resources to pay for sports and activities, and in our increasingly urbanised centres, Council has a responsibility to play in the provision of these services. By providing quality playgrounds that are accessible to Nelson families, have all the practicalities of shade, seating, and a good cup of coffee for parents, we can help make play the obvious choice.

Council has secured $2.5m of central government funding to see this project through, but we are well aware that this is not the first time funds have been set aside for this purpose. If we want to see this project proceed as planned, we need strong and focused governance oversight. 

The establishment of the City Centre Playspace Taskforce presents an opportunity to propel this vision into action, and I look forward to working closely with my colleagues, Councillors Pete Rainey, Kahu Paki Paki and Campbell Rollo, who bring a diversity of skills and insights into the mix. The taskforce will enable us to engage closely with our community, explore success stories from around the country, and ensure that we can deliver a state-of-the-art facility that generations to come deserve.