Kids happy to see park reopen

Christian Stewart, 4, and sister Hayley, 7, enjoy the new swing attached to the snake at Kowhai Park

The weather may not have been ideal but that didn't stop families from heading to newly reopened Kowhai Park yesterday for children to enjoy the play equipment.

Mandy Gray took her grandchildren Braydon, 3, and Ella, 1, to the park where they made the most of their time.

"They live in Wellington and they are staying with me while their mother is away and Braydon couldn't wait to come here," Ms Gray said.

It was Ella's first visit to the park but Braydon remembered visiting before and did not understand why the park was not open when "all the water had gone".

"I had to take him past the park and show him the stickers that meant people couldn't go into the park," said his grandmother.

Christian Stewart, 4, has been eagerly awaiting the park reopening, referring to it as "my park" and asking mum Cherie "how many sleeps" it would be before opening.

Cherie said she told Christian and his sisters Hayley, 7, Ashley, 5, and Danielle, 1, that unless the predicted storm brought "buckets of rain" they would definitely be going to the park.

The park has been closed since it was flooded in June last year and tons of silt has been removed, grassy areas have been replanted and some new swings have been added. Mayor Annette Main acknowledged the patience of the public during the time it has taken to get the park ready for opening.

LITTLE SWINGER: One-year-old Danielle Stewart tries out one of the new swings.

"Everyone who has worked hard to get the park to this stage, including the Department of Corrections team, Lions, Queen Alexandra's Mounted Rifles, Horizons Regional Council, BNZ, Rotary and of course our own council parks team, deserves a huge thank you.

"It's great to have the gates open for the summer season for locals and visitors to enjoy."

Ms Main said there may be an event later to celebrate the reopening. It is hoped that the Tot Town railway will reopen soon.

LITTLE SWINGER: One-year-old Danielle Stewart tries out one of the new swings.