Enner Glynn Playcentre in Nelson has had its playground revamped, thanks to the Mitre 10 MEGA Helping Hands programme.
At its 56th project in the Nelson region, Helping Hands set about rebuilding the playground at Enner Glynn Playcentre and establishing a community orchard on the centre’s street frontage.
Workers – including partners, Waimea Menzshed, solar company Lightforce and Playcentre parents – helped rebuild a play fort, install a slide on a grass bank, and build a mud kitchen and sandpit play shed.
The community orchard was the “jewel in the crown” of the playcentre project, said Mitre 10 MEGA Nelson marketing manager and Helping Hands founder, Murray Leaning.
It replaced a weedy area along the front and side of the playcentre, with about 34 different varieties of fruit trees donated by Thirkettle Nurseries, Waimea Nurseries and Mitre 10 MEGA.
Facilitator at the playcentre, Vic Jackson, said the changes at the centre, for families of children under 6, were “huge”.
“It’s made all the difference of us probably being able to do this and not being able to do it, because we’re a not-for-profit.”
“I don’t think we would have got to achieve anything on this level.”
According to Ms Jackson, the revamped playground “has been a fantastic opportunity to strengthen our small community.”
“New families and old have joined in to help and together, with support from Mitre10 MEGA and the Waimea Menzshed, we managed to transform our playground into some new spaces and challenges for our tamariki.”
“It’s been fantastic timing as the weather improves and we all head outside to explore our new environment.”
At Enner Glynn Playcentre, local companies donating gear and materials included Nelson Plastics, Hirepool Asphalt and General, EnviroWaste Higgins Concrete, Wholesale Landscapes and Al Fresco Garden & Property Maintenance. Nelson City Council and Nelmac also helped clear the orchard area.
For over 80 years, Playcentre has been offering families the chance to play, grow, and learn together, as well as to forge meaningful friendships with other families in the community.
Enner Glynn Playcentre is open Monday to Friday from 9.30am-12.30pm and welcomes families with children aged 0-6 years.
You can contact them to arrange a free visit at [email protected].
The revamped playground at Enner Glynn Playcentre in Nelson.