The Maclean Park Experience a success

Maclean Park was buzzing at the weekend as crowds made their way to the Paraparaumu Beach park for a day of entertainment, food and activities.

The Maclean Park Experience on Saturday was one of a range of opportunities for people to share their ideas with the Kāpiti Coast District Council for the future development of the park.

The Council teamed up with Paraparaumu-Raumati Community Board, Paraparaumu Beach Business Association and Zeal to provide live music, kids’ activities, a skate and scooter jam, spot prizes and much more.

Parks and Recreation Manager Alison Law says the day was a real success with an estimated 1000-plus people passing through the park and providing feedback.

“We can’t thank the community enough for their fantastic contributions over the weekend. A huge amount of data and information was collected at the Maclean Park Experience event, which will be collated and used when considering the future development of the park.”

More than 150 face-to-face interviews were conducted with individuals and groups, several more online Express Yourself surveys were completed, more than 150 wishes for the park were placed on the wishing tree, and 47 park concept designs were developed.

Of the surveys completed 58 per cent were filled in by women, 42 per cent by men and the average age of those surveyed was 38 years old, with participants also spanning in age from 3 to 90 years.

Of those interviewed 67 per cent were from Paraparaumu/Raumati, 15 per cent from Kāpiti Coast, 12 per cent were from the Wellington Region, with 6 per cent from New Zealand and beyond.

“The information collected has given us some very useful indications about big picture issues, like the desire for water, how people move between the park, playground and retail spaces, to lots of small ideas that could make a big difference such as holes in the middle of tables so people can bring their umbrellas, seating requirements at the skate park and cleaning up the Hinepoupou cairn so it can be read,” Ms Law says.

“We’ll use the feedback gathered at the event to prepare development options and a draft management plan for further community consultation.”

People have until 20 February to give their suggestions for the park by either completing a questionnaire at www.kapiticoast.govt.nz/maclean-park-refresh, emailing [email protected] or posting them to Kāpiti Coast District Council, Private Bag 60601, Paraparaumu 5254.

Copies of the questionnaire are also available at the Paraparaumu Library and the Council’s Rimu Road service centre.

31 January 2017