The long-awaited opening of the McPhee Park playground drew a big crowd by Hāwea Flat standards on Friday afternoon (August 1).

The new playground on the reserve at the corner of Loach Road and Long Grass Place features climbing structures, swings, a roundabout, and bike track, as well as seating, shade structures, and a public toilet.

During the opening ceremony Queenstown Lakes District Council (QLDC) councillor Cody Tucker and former QLDC parks staffer - and long time Hāwea resident - Diana Manson held the red ribbon while mayor Glyn Lewers directed proceedings and Lake Hāwea patriarch Dick Cotter cut the ribbon.

Councillor Cody Tucker, mayor Glyn Lewers, Dick Cotter, and Diana Manson at the opening ceremony.

Once the ribbon was cut, the crowd of children, who had been waiting patiently, were given free rein to sprint to the playing equipment where they spent the next hour or so enjoying their new playground.

Glyn said the playground opening “was a fun event which fills my cup”.

He acknowledged the Hāwea Community Association (HCA) for all its work and organisation on the project; councillor Lyal Cocks’ part in facilitating funding; and Diana Manson who worked “very hard” on the project before her retirement, and who continued that work “behind the scenes”.

The playground features a pīwakawaka perched on one of the climbing frames, keeping watch over the children playing. The pīwakawaka was chosen as it is Diana’s favourite bird.

Glyn also acknowledged Dick Cotter and his family. “One way to ensure your legacy and actually live forever in my view is giving back to the community - that legacy of endurance,” he said.

The pīwakawaka - in honour of Diana Manson - keeps watch over the children.

McPhee was the maiden name of Dick’s late wife Margaret; the McPhees once resided in the original Four Square store on Camphill Road.

Glyn also said the contractor, Dan, “thoroughly enjoyed” working on the playground.

“It’s one of those infrastructure projects that the public is quite happy to see and hear the building as it goes … Usually when the old orange cones come out we do get a few grumbles.”

The playground was the result of a collaborative effort by the Hāwea Playground Committee (an off-shoot of the HCA) and QLDC, after which funding was brought forward from year three of the Long Term Plan to the current financial year.

The playground committee was formed a few years ago to help address the shortage of playgrounds in the Hāwea area. 

Committee spokesperson Louise Merrall spoke at Friday’s opening, and said the committee hopes to add a half court to McPhee Park “in the near-ish future”.

The opening was also attended by councillors Quentin Smith and Craig Ferguson, Wānaka Upper Clutha Community Board chair Simon Telfer and board member John Wellington.

PHOTOS: Wānaka App