Brian Nisbet enjoys using one of the new pieces of outdoor gym equipment at Selwyn Park. Photo/Rose Stirling
Brian Nisbet enjoys using one of the new pieces of outdoor gym equipment at Selwyn Park. Photo/Rose Stirling
KAIPARA CONNECTION
Calling all gym bunnies with a love of the outdoors - a new fitness trail awaits you at Selwyn Park in Dargaville.
The David Saies Fitness trail, consisting of three sites across the park, has been a work in progress since mid-2017 and now the final site, an outdoor gym, has been completed.
Dargaville Lions president Brian Nesbit said the fitness trail was identified as something the community wanted, "we were given funds from a prominent local, David Saies who wanted to see it go to a community project, so we decided to put it towards this and name it after him in honour of his generous donation".
"It really does feel good to see this come to fruition and we're looking forward to the official opening next week."
Nesbit said he's been blown away by the community's uptake of the trail since its completion earlier this week.
"Heaps of people have been using it and the feedback has been pretty good, it's attracted all ages, both young and old."
Nesbit said the trail would not have been possible without the help of Sport Northland's Kaipara Community Connector Roxanne Kelly who, he said, came up with the ideas for its design and layout.
Kelly said, "it was a real Dargaville 'can do' effort to pull this off, I designed each site and local businesses and the council as well as Lions all came together to make it happen".
"I wanted the trail to be aesthetically pleasing and I think we've achieved that and we're also looking at connecting the three trails with a concrete path, so people can easily run or walk from each site."
Kelly said the trail is about the bigger picture for the park which already boasts a pool, basketball pad, a children's playground and a skate park.
"It's about having a place where there is something available for the whole family, having something for mums and dads as well as the kids."
Kelly said plans are also in the pipeline to build a bicycle pump park, "so this place is going to become a real activity zone for Dargaville".
The trail is made up of three separate sites around the park.
Site one has two stations with sit ups, monkey bars and chin ups, site two has an abseiling/jumping wall, parallel bars and balance beams and site three now has outdoor gym equipment.
The trail's official opening is next week on Saturday April 6 at 10am.
Free swimming lessons
Water babies are wanted for free swimming lessons at the Kauri Coast Community Pool.
Ashleigh Ashford with daughter Isabella and fellow mum Brooke Jenyns with her daughter Ila-May at one of the free swimming classes held at the Kauri Coast Swimming Pool. Photo/Rose Stirling
Whanau Focus Parenting Educator Yvette Gilchrist said the free lessons are for pre-schoolers and their family members.
"As well as a great bonding experience it also teaches little ones basic coordination and safety skills in the pool.
"We have about 25 families who have taken this offer up and classes are inclusive of mums, dads, grandmas and grandads, as well as caregivers."
Gilchrist said a swim coach for the free sessions will be on hand every Wednesday and, "we just encourage families to come in at any time between 11am and 1pm and just join a class".
Ashleigh Ashford said she really enjoys taking her 1-year-old daughter Isabella to classes.
"I love how it gives babies and young children a safe introduction to swimming and teaches them to be comfortable in the water. It's great to meet other mums and bubs and it doesn't cost a thing. With four time slots to choose from, it's easy to pick a time that suits you and your baby."
Classes will be held every week until the pool closes for the winter. For more information contact Whanau Focus centre on: 09 439 7009.
Community invited to Play in the Park
Pony rides, bouncy castles, face painting, police car rides a fire engine, fun games, circus skills, sporting activities and more will mean there will be plenty to entertain everyone in the family at this year's Play in the Park.
Yellow bins at the Sportsville grounds will be available for people to donate their old but still usable sporting gear for members of the community to borrow during Play in the Park. Photo/Supplied
Sport Northland Kaipara community connector Roxanne Kelly said Play in the Park was an idea that arose out of a need to encourage more use of Memorial Park by the community and was initially part of the opening of the new sports facility, Sportsville, in Dargaville last year.
"The day was very successful, not only as an opening, but as a shared community event where local groups collaborated to provide a fun day for the families.
"Because of this success the community asked for it to be a regular event."
With this in mind, Sport Northland and Kaipara District Council have worked with local whanau-focused groups to present the second Play in the Park on Sunday, April 7.
"This has been exciting seeing the connection of providers coming together to pool resources and provide an exceptional experience for its community. The "Play it again" sporting gear bins will also be refreshed and these will be replenished so that families are able to use the gear after the event."
Kelly said the idea was to encourage families to get out and get active in their local park.
Silver Fern Farms once again will supply a free sausage sizzle on the day and Te Ha and Oranga Tamariki will supply free water, fruit and ice blocks. A coffee vendor will be on site.
When: Sunday, April 7 from 10am followed by a barbecue at noon as well as water and ice blocks throughout the day, finishing at 2pm.
