A four year “labour of love” by the
Lawrence-Tuapeka community will become a Council-owned facility from this Saturday
(14 February 2026).
The Lawrence Playground on Whitehaven
Street in Lawrence opened in time for the summer of 2024-25, with all the
elements of play under the shelter of shade sails to help keep visitors out of
the hot Otago sun. On Saturday, it will be handed over to the Clutha District
Council.
“As well as
providing a place for our youngsters to gather and play, a sense of community
has been at the heart of this project,” Group Manager – Community Services Mike
Goldsmith, said.
“We are very
proud to have been a part of it and to be the custodians of such a special play
space.”
The occasion
will be marked by an iwi blessing, and presided over by Mayor Jock Martin and
Councillor Roger Cotton, who both live in Lawrence-Tuapeka and were involved in
the project, followed by a free sausage sizzle hosted by the Lawrence
Playground Project committee. Mayor Martin
chaired the playground committee.
“What an amazing space it is for our
Tamariki and travelling public, and what a real community asset the
playground is! Congratulations to the community for making this happen, and to
all the groups and businesses who chipped in with their time and resources.
This has been a real grass roots community effort and something the district
can be proud of.”
The project arose out of Council’s Our
Place Lawrence-Tuapeka Community Plan to redevelop the playground, and was
community-led, with the people of Lawrence and the Lawrence-Tuapeka Community
Board recognising that the existing playground near the town centre was well
overdue for an upgrade.
“The playground hadn’t been upgraded 23
years, and what a difference the upgrade has made,” Cr Cotton said. “It’s been
a real labour of love over the past four years, and we’re thrilled with the
results.”
Council assisted with funding and
technical support and is responsible for ensuring public safety at playgrounds
on Council reserves, also funding the new perimeter fence.
To complement the colourful new play
equipment, in December last year, the concrete path into the playground was
enhanced with painted paw prints by South Otago mural artist Alice Muir.
Find out more about community projects
that arose from the Our Place community plans on the Council website:
Community Projects - Clutha District Council.
