The Tulip Drive playground is an odd shape and not big enough to kick a ball around.
Cambridge keeps growing with residential development, but children are being ignored because there is a lack of playgrounds in the subdivisions.
“We are not looking after the younger members of our community,” Cambridge Community Board chair Sue Milner told the board last week.
“We need places for kids to be able to kick a ball around.”
She gave the example of Tulip Place in Cambridge North which has a playground donated by the developer, but it is an odd shape and unsuitable for playing football.
Waipā Community Services acting manager Brad Ward said the council had done some playground mapping but there was “lots to happen” in that space.
The renewal of the Lake Te Koo Utu senior playground began earlier this month, the junior module of it was completed last year and there are plans for an adventure playground in Cambridge North and the new C2 growth cell on Hamilton Road.
The council just has to determine the right place for them, he said.
Sue Milner
Equipment at another playground in MacLean Street is being removed because it is not in good shape.
Ward said the council was looking at developing a playground on the corner of Terry Came Drive and Swayne Road.
In other areas the council was working with developers and buying land.
Milner told The News after the meeting playgrounds tended to be an afterthought.
“We don’t want to be donated a section they (developers) just can’t sell.
“It just seems we’re behind with playgrounds. I keep hearing about plans for a destination playground but when?
“I think we should be more proactive about developing playgrounds. They’ve been talking about it forever, it’s now time for some action as Cambridge grows,” she said.
