Thames' Porritt Park playground is back in business following a temporarily closure to allow for the removal of the Wakatere play boat.

Over the weekend the park was re-opened, allowing children and families the chance to try out some of the new equipment installed just before the playground was closed.

This includes a Kompan climby shifter installed last month which has lots of fun features for younger children to climb on and explore, while at the same time, develop their strength and co-ordination.

It was paid for by a $20,000 donation from Thames-Coromandel District Council's Parks and Reserves maintenance contractor Smart Environmental.

Managing director and owner Grahame Christian says the donation is part of the company's ongoing commitment to supporting the community.

'In partnership with Thames-Coromandel District Council we have a long-standing relationship and understand that as a significant employer in the area we are a key part of the community and certainly like to give back and be involved in community activities.”

The shifter was installed last month and at the same time as a new swing that includes two infant seats, plus a seat with head support which is suitable for disabled children and babies.

Also at the same time, the Playco train that had been put into storage has been reinstalled in a new location in Porritt Park further away from the site where the new skate and scooter park is being built.

Thames Community Board Chair Diane Connors, left, and Smart Environmental's Grahame Christian, background, look on while children and caregivers from Sealey Street Childcare test out the new playground equipment. Photo: TCDC

Along with the climby shifter, a new drinking fountain accessible for children and people with disabilities and will be installed soon behind the new toilet block was also paid for thanks to a $5000 donation the Rotary Club of Thames.

Porritt Park has been gradually upgraded over the last two years, with new playground equipment, a new toilet block and the skate and scooter park which currently under construction and expected to be completed by April 2017.

Thames Community Board Chair Diane Connors says Porritt Park is one of the Coromandel's most popular and well used playgrounds so the board wanted to make sure they had the right equipment to suit young people.

'This is just another stage we have where Smart Environmental have partnered with us and donated this lovely piece here.”

Local school children have also been involved in the process from the start by helping to choose the playground equipment and designing the murals for the new toilet block. The design of the new skate park has also been informed by feedback from user groups.

The replica Wakatere play boat was removed to make way for the new skate and scooter park

This plan shows the area for the new skate park on the left while the newly expanded playground area is the cross-hatched section on the right. For a larger version click on the image above. Image: TCDC