Katikati Youth Park a Step Closer

Plans to transform Katikati’s Moore Park skatepark into a larger, family-friendly Youth Park have taken a big leap forward, with two major milestones reached in late November.

The Western Bay of Plenty District Council’s Reserves and Amenities team has signed a Deed of Agreement with the Katikati Community-Led Development (KCLD) Steering Group to develop a new youth park complex beside the existing skatepark on Fairview Road. At the same time, fundraising efforts led by KCLD on behalf of local rangatahi have passed the $100,000 mark; two-thirds of the $150,000 needed to complete the initial stage of the project.

Council staff will now begin consulting with immediate neighbours on Fairview Road who may be affected by the development, before a final design concept is agreed between Council and the KCLD Steering Group.

Support for the Youth Park has been building steadily over the past six months. Funding and backing have come from TECT, Powerco, Hume Growers, the Department of Internal Affairs, the Western Bay of Plenty District Council via the Community Board grant, and local service clubs such as Rotary.

KCLD spokesman John Bothwell says the signing of the Deed of Agreement marks the start of a new, more public phase of the project. “Now that the DOA is completed, we can really step up our efforts to seek funding support from local businesses, organisations and families,” he says.

Bothwell says the main focus is to make the site more family-friendly while staying true to what local young people have asked for. The project has been shaped by extensive consultation with a youth leadership group, including two full-day workshops, to ensure the park delivers what young people want in a recreational space and provides a safe, inclusive environment.

The first stage of construction will centre on creating spaces where families can relax and spend time together. A new covered BBQ area, picnic tables and extra seating are planned, along with a new half-court basketball space and sunshade structures over parts of the skate bowl to make the area more usable year-round.

Alongside the existing skatepark, a wish list has been developed for additional play features, including equipment for younger youth such as a swing set, a flying fox, slides and climbing structures for different age groups, as well as sensory play elements and cargo nets. These additions are intended to create a layered play environment where children and teenagers of different ages can all find something to enjoy.

Council will provide essential infrastructure including water, power and sewerage connections, and will install a new toilet block to double the current capacity on site.

The KCLD Steering Group is also working with Katikati Open Air Art and Tauranga-based mural artist Kalib Wallace on a joint project to bring fresh colour and creativity to the site. The skate bowl will be repainted, new mural boards added, and a dedicated graffiti wall created to give young people a legal space to express themselves through street art.

A new pump track for skaters, scooters and bikes is also being designed. This will be built as funding allows and is expected to become a major drawcard for local youth once completed.

Together with the new Sport and Recreation Centre currently under construction in front of the cricket ground, Moore Park will form a vibrant recreational hub for Katikati’s young people well into the future.

The community is now being invited to get behind the project and help bring the full vision to life,  whether it’s $50 for a family, $250-500 for a small to medium sized business, or up to $5000 for a larger corporate. Sponsorship of specific items of equipment is also an option for those wanting a more tangible connection to the park. “Every dollar will help,” says John.

Project updates and details on how to donate or sponsor equipment are available on the KCLD website www.KatikatiCLD.nz. This is a chance for the entire Katikati community to stand behind its young people, support their vision, and help create a place where youth can play, connect with friends and feel safe.