Regular playground checks keep tamariki safe

A lot of work that goes on behind the scenes to keep Far North playgrounds safe and ready for tamariki to enjoy.

Every month, playgrounds across the district are checked for potential hazards with contractors looking for faults such as sharp edges, damaged fittings and broken equipment. The aim is to pick up small issues early, before they become bigger problems. The council is about to move to weekly inspections of all playgrounds to further support safe play and preventive maintenance programme which aligns with industry best practice.

In June, all 33 council playgrounds were inspected with contractor, Citycare Property, completing 100 per cent of its scheduled playground inspections. The inspections covered 805 individual inspection points and identified 87 minor, low-risk maintenance issues.

These regular checks are part of the council’s planned maintenance programme. Citycare Property carries out the work under the Community Facilities Maintenance Services Contract with Far North District Council.

The contract covers a range of council facilities, including playgrounds, skate parks and shade sails. There are 13 playgrounds in the northern area, seven in the western area and 13 in the eastern area. Twenty-four of the district’s playgrounds also have shade sails.

Playgrounds are well-used community spaces. They are places where tamariki can run around, climb, explore and play, while whānau catch up and spend time together.

There is currently one playground closure across the district, at Kokopu Playground in Ahipara. All other playgrounds remain open and available for public use. In July, the council completed an annual programme of replenishing soft fall surfaces at all playgrounds across the district.

Playground inspections is one part of the much wider maintenance programme carried out by Citycare Property. In June, the contractor completed 17,970 scheduled service activities across council facilities, achieving 98 per cent of its programmed activity and 98.1 per cent compliance on key performance measures.