Arbour ardor for Thames' playground site

Students from Thames South and St Francis schools celebrated World Environment Day today and acknowledged Arbour Day by planting native trees next to the new Hauraki Terrace playground.

Our parks contractor, Smart Environmental, provided the direction and support and the students work will create a new habitat for native birds and insects. The students had grown the trees themselves as part of their Trees for Survival programme.

After a healthy snack, the excited students lined up to watch as the soft woodchip base was blown into the playground construction site.

We had planned to open the playground to the children by 2pm this afternoon but unfortunately some unknown wee dear had a play on one of the pieces of equpiment while the concrete was still setting overnight, causing the opening to be delayed until next week.

Once an inspector can sign off the work (which needs the re-touched concrete to be completely set) next week, we'll open it for play.

There will also be an official opening to celebrate a playground designed with input from students from Thames South School under the direction of teacher and local resident Greg Pilcher.

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