Whanganui Mayor Andrew Tripe says he'd like some of the old play equipment to remain after the revamp. Photo: Robin Martin / RNZ
Whanganui's iconic Kowhai Park is a blast from the past - with play equipment inspired by the likes of Old Mother Hubbard and Goldilocks.
The playground that has been an attraction for more than half a century is in line for a $6 million revamp, but lots of kids these days would not know Humpty Dumpty if he toppled off the wall in front of them.
Nestled on the banks of the Whanganui awa, a visit to Kowhai Park is like stepping back in time. Play equipment inspired by children's classics competes for youngsters' attention.
Nat Bunlee, who had Baxter and Clover in tow, was a regular visitor.
"We're from Taranaki, but I've been coming to this park since I was a kid.
"I was born in Wellington and we used to travel back and forth when I was young to Taranaki to see whānau and that. And we always used to stop here and it's always been the reason to stop in Whanganui."
Sophie and Nat Bunlee were visiting from Taranaki with Clover, 2, and Baxter, 4. Photo: Robin Martin / RNZ
He was open to change, but hoped any revamp would keep some of the current play equipment.
"I think there should still be a nod to the history of the place and you can keep a few bits and pieces.
"But I think it would be really easy to weave in some new stuff too and that's what's going to put in on the map, right, and make it a little more exciting because some of these things are still the same since when I was a kid."
Four year-old Baxter was a fan of a newer attraction.
"The flying fox because it's so cool."
Judy and Brad Hollard were down from Auckland with Bennett, two, and Harrison, four. Photo: Robin Martin / RNZ
Aucklander Brad Hollard was playing with Harrison and Bennett in the Octopus' Garden. It was a walk down memory lane.
"My grandparents lived here, so I used to come here a lot as a kid.
"So, we're just down for the day for a funeral, for my grandfather's funeral, but it's a nice chance to bring the great grandchildren down to play at the park.
"So, it's pretty nostalgic that it is the way it has been for so long."
Brad's wife Judy reckoned an upgrade made sense.
"I mean these sorts of nursery rhymes are kind of irrelevant to our kids who are using this playground.
"Nostalgic to us, but my kids don't know these nursery rhymes or who Fred Flintstone is or anything, so yeah, maybe revamping the park is not something I'd be opposed to."
Amber Tapa-Edward says her favourite piece of equipment is the flying fox. Photo: Robin Martin / RNZ
Whanganui local Amber Tapa-Edward, 10, was out with her grandma Josephine.
When was not so fussed about the nursery-rhyme themed attractions either.
"Kind of... some of it... err no. I like the flying fox, flying fox, hard out."
Josephine reckoned the park was looking bit tired.
"I'm ready for a change. We need something more than what there is now at the moment because we've got a lot of young teenagers and whatever going around now, and we need to keep them off the streets somehow."
'We need to keep some of that, but also move into the future'
Mayor Andrew Tripe said Kowhai Park had a timeless quality.
"If you look around it's a very different kind of park. It doesn't have modern play equipment which is good and bad.
Whanganui Mayor Andrew Tripe. Photo: Robin Martin / RNZ
"It's fun and colourful and playful and reflects I guess what a playground looked like 60 years ago. I think we need to keep some of that, but also move into the future as well."
He said a revamp - which would see the park better reflect the city's relationship with the awa - would be considered in the council's long-term plan.
If approved, $600,000 would be spent on consultation and design over two years, and $6 million to redevelop the park over the next decade.
Tripe said the price tag was such that it would need to be funded in conjunction with community groups and grants as well as through rates.
