A new playground at Alexandra’s Kidsfirst Terrace Kindergarten is like a mini trip around Central Otago.
Head teacher Kristen Ojala said it had been planned for the last 10 to 15 years and she thanked the many parents who had been involved in fundraising.
“It’s been a long-term plan.”
A $37,000 grant from the Central Lakes Trust had been gratefully received, she said.
The playground is based on the features of Central Otago, with native plants, a “rail trail”, and a water feature made from schist.
An outdoor “mud kitchen” has a tap and shallow bowls for creative play.
A “quiet sensory corner” was planted with herbs, with trees to be planted which would “create a nice calm environment”, she said.
An orchard was also planned for a corner of the playground.
Attending the open day was father Stefan Trochon, who remembered going to the kindergarten as a child in the late ’70s or early ’80s.
The new playground was a “big improvement”, he said.
“I remember we used to play with a lot of car tyres and things like that.”
His daughter Sienna was now able to enjoy the new playground, he said.
