Play-on-the-way to bring fun to Kihikihi Streets

Tamariki in Kihikihi will soon be able to ‘play-on-the-way’ and enjoy playful, active moments on their travels to school, home, or around town, with new interactive play equipment being installed at the Grey and Whitaker Street cul-de-sacs.

The play-on-the-way areas mark the final stage of the pathway project. They aim to support children’s development in many areas, including cognitive, social, and emotional growth. It gives them opportunities to build confidence, develop new skills, and explore their interests through active play.

Service delivery group manager Dawn Inglis said the spaces were planned to be fun, low-maintenance, and suitable for tamariki and whānau to enjoy along their journeys.

It will include simple, interactive features such as climbing poles, a log stack, rope traverse, and painted games like hopscotch, long jump and sidesteps.

“While fences are not being installed, the play spaces are safely set back six metres from Whitmore Street, with two berms and a pathway providing a clear buffer. The trees also act as natural barriers between the equipment to the end of the cul-de-sacs.”

The play features are being installed in the grass areas at the end of the cul-de-sacs, so no previous work will be removed or disrupted.

“Play-on-the-way was included in the plan for the new pathway, but installation was scheduled for the end of the project,” Inglis said.

The project was funded by a $5.6 million grant from New Zealand Transport Agency as part of its initiative to increase transport options around the country. An additional $2.4 million came from Waipā District Council’s 2021-2031 Long-Term Plan budget for urban mobility projects.

The road and the main pathway will not be affected by this work, and it is expected to be completed by mid-May.

Fruit trees, bollards and seating have already been installed at the two cul-de-sacs.