Council puts fun into gathering park revamp ideas

Hutt City Council is offering some fun-filled inducements to get feedback on its plan to upgrade Avalon Park.

On Sunday, July 8 the council will run a free family day at The Green, where there will be bouncy castles, balloon twisting, face painting, a magic show, hula hoop workshops and music. While the children are entertained, council officers will talk to parents and other visitors about their views on the proposal.

And on four other Sundays – July 1, 15, 22 and 29 – council officers will run a sausage sizzle, with free hot drinks, in the park to further gauge public opinion.

The main family day, on July 8, will run from 1-4pm. Sausage sizzles on the other Sundays will run from 1-3.30pm.

Written submissions can be made to avalonpark@huttcity.govt.nz.

Key features of the redevelopment plan are:

• A network of all-weather pathways for walkers and cyclists and improved parking, vehicle and pedestrian access, signs, toilets and lighting.

• Tree planting to screen against the prevailing northerlies as well as to create distinct areas for active and passive recreational uses.

• A combination of traditional gardens and spaces for active play.

• A “fun” bridge, possibly flexible like a rope bridge, where the fort formerly stood in the pond near Fairway Drive.

• Landscaping and other tree planting.

• Clustering together play equipment to allow for better parent supervision and public visibility.