Lake Ferry playground was closed before Labour Day 2025 due to health and safety concerns and was levelled in January 2026 to make way for an upgraded one. Photo: LDR / Sue Teodoro
A popular South Wairarapa playground has been demolished to make way for a safer facility for children of all ages.
The Lake Ferry playground was levelled earlier this month after being closed to the public by South Wairarapa District Council shortly before Labour Day last year.
A visit to the playground on Thursday revealed a partially fenced empty area next to the lake. The old equipment had been removed, and the ground appeared to have been prepared for the new play area.
A small amount of damaged and discarded play equipment lay on the ground nearby.
A resident, who asked not to be named, said the timing of the closure just before the summer holiday period had caused locals concern at the time, but the council had worked well with the community to update them on progress towards replacing the facility.
The resident said they understood one of the issues was some of the play equipment anchor poles had rusted and become unsafe.
He said the facility had been very popular.
"When the weather is right, it's used 24/7. It gets a lot of use.
"Through Christmas and New Year an unbelievable number of people come through here. It's the only facility for kids."
The remains of the old equipment at the Lake Ferry playground. Photo: LDR / Sue Teodoro
A spokesperson for the council confirmed work on a new, improved, facility was currently scheduled to be completed soon.
"Following a recent safety inspection, the Lake Ferry playground was closed to the public as most of the equipment no longer met required safety standards and had reached the end of its life.
"The playground will be refurbished and will cater to both younger and older children and include some exciting additions.
"The refurbishment work has been assigned to our contractors to begin this week, and the refreshed playground is expected to reopen by the end of March - weather permitting and subject to manufacturing and delivery timelines."
The resident said a council officer had been updating locals regularly. He hoped the work would be done soon.
"She's been very obliging.
"The faster it's done, the better for the community."
When the council closed the facility in October it issued a notice on its website.
"The Lake Ferry Playground is currently closed. The playground is scheduled for updates this financial year however. Following a recent health and safety inspection, it's been recommended to close it now until the upgrades commence.
"At this stage, the timeline is unclear, but we will do our best to work as quickly as possible and update the community as things progress," it said.
LDR is local body journalism co-funded by RNZ and NZ On Air.
