Macrocarpa stays put with safety measures in place

Contractors will be on site to begin work this week, increasing the dune and fencing to extend around the old macrocarpa tree at the Lions Playground at Tāhunanui Beach.

While the tree is solid and does not pose a risk of falling, and has become something of a feature in the landscape, an external Playsafe inspector did identify it as a play risk. Its proximity to the playground and large branches is an invitation for kids to climb it.

Group Manager Community Services Andrew White acknowledged Council’s responsibility to make sure its playgrounds are safe.

“If we get professional advice that we need to make a change we must take it seriously. The initial Playsafe report outlines several options including the removal of the tree. However, we thought that option was extreme given the affection people have for the macrocarpa in that spot. Compromises included turning the tree into a play element in itself, but this option was not possible to achieve at a reasonable cost given the challenges of constructing a safe and aesthetically acceptable structure adjacent to a tree. A third option involved cutting the tree back substantially.

“Our parks team worked with Playsafe to find a solution that kept the tree in the spot we’re all familiar with while making sure safety concerns were addressed. There will be more going on at the Tāhunanui playground in the near future with the Nelson Host Lions Club finalising its designs for the replacement of the train, which collapsed last year.”