Vote: Is Whanganui’s Kowhai Park the best playground in New Zealand?

Whanganui’s Kowhai Park is a finalist to be named New Zealand’s Best Playground in the NZ Herald’s Best of Summer 2022 series. Liz Wylie spoke with young park visitors and their carers to find out what makes the park one of the best.

Seven-year-old Pani Marshall said she loves visiting Kowhai Park for fun and spending time with her family.

“I love the swings and the flying fox is really good,” she said.

Her brother Haare, 5, said the water play fountains were his favorite and the two children enjoyed climbing and sliding on the concrete whale built in 1961.

“We spent a lot of time here over the holidays,” said their grandmother Annette Gulliver, who also cared for Pani and Haare’s 14-month-old brother Vincent.

“They all love it – they don’t get bored here. I also like it because there’s lots of shade and places to sit. I’m not surprised it’s been designated as one of the best playgrounds. We lived in Waiouru when I was growing up and loved it too.”

Kate Soulsby’s son Taj Romeo, who is about to turn 3, liked to get wet by running under the body of water and climbing on the round penguin rocks.

“It’s a big park and I like that there are lots of shady trees,” Soulsby said.

“My only criticism would be that I wish it had been a little safer. Taj is more confident now, but he slipped on the concrete under the body of water and hit his head a few years ago. time.

“It would be nice if there could be softer surfaces under certain equipment.”

Sian Lambert said she also visited the park often during the summer with her five children aged 12 to 18 months.

“I always loved coming here as a kid and I’m so glad it hasn’t changed much. Everything was so well done and it’s really well maintained. I’ve always loved the dinosaur slide and I love seeing my kids playing on it now,” she said.

“We came to a birthday party at the pirate ship recently.”

Ellahdee Lambert, 9, said she liked the flying fox best.

“I also like the carousel and the swings and the big round swings are good because I can share rides with my brother and sisters.”

• Kowhai Park is one of the 10 finalists in the best playground category. If you think he should win, vote now at nzherald.co.nz/bestof. Closing of registrations on Monday 24 January.