Seeking a non-slip solution

Rubber matting is being trialled on the new water-play feature at Marine Gardens to make the surface as safe as possible.

Whilst the new splash pad meets all required standards and has passed independent tests, there have been reports of some children slipping.

Paraparaumu-Community Board Chair Louella Jensen says Council has put up signs asking carers to supervise their children and is currently trialling locally-produced recycled rubber matting to see if it helps.

Mrs Jensen says the matting, supplied free for the trial by Matta Products in Ōtaki, is just one option Council is looking at.  

Meanwhile, she says, the water-play feature, the first of its kind in a public park in the region, is proving extremely popular.

“People have told us they don’t mind what we do just as long as we don’t turn it off!”