Upgrade in play for Scarborough Park

A playful place featuring a “mouse”, a “snake” and an eagle’s lair will take centre stage at Scarborough Park.

The new playground is part of a four-month repair and replace programme involving pipework, and post-earthquake repairs to the Sumner Clock Tower and steps outside the Ocean Cafe and Bar.

A major makeover is planned for Scarborough Park's ageing playground in Sumner.

The seaside heritage park will receive a timely makeover as the old playground equipment is replaced with a mouse wheel, an eagle’s lair with baskets, a dancing snake rope swing, a climbing tower and a modern take on the classic rocking horse, among other fun-filled options.

A section of the park will be closed from early May as work on the multiple projects swings into action in preparation for a spring reopening.

However, the Ocean Cafe and Bar will remain open, with access via the esplanade walkway.

“By combining these essential repairs and upgrade work in one programme during the cooler months, we aim to reopen the park as quickly as possible in time for the warmer weather and minimise the disruption to park users, local residents and nearby businesses,” Christchurch City Council Acting Head of Parks Brent Smith says.

“It also means we can make the most of economic efficiencies by combining the construction time frames,” he says.

“We are creating an interactive play area where youngsters can swing and spin all day. We are also upgrading a very popular park and giving the clock tower a much needed facelift.”

Families can still enjoy St Leonards Park, Nicholson Park, Brownlee Reserve, Starwood Reserve or Barnett Park in the local area.

“The earthenware pipe that runs between the Ocean Cafe and the waste water pump station is damaged and needs to be replaced by a PVC pipe,” Mr Smith says.

“By doing so during the playground renewal, we can avoid digging in the same area twice.”

Repairs will also get under way on the old quake-damaged concrete steps outside the cafe and the Sumner Clock Tower.

“We are repairing the Sumner Clock Tower face and mechanism, along with the surrounding steps,” Mr Smith says.

Scaffolding will be erected in March, with the pathway on the clock tower side – beside the stone wall – closed to the public.