Two community days at Mount Drury Reserve - Hopukiore will provide a chance for Tauranga residents to have their say on creating accessible and inclusive public spaces.

Tauranga City Council has $400,000 available annually during the next 10 years for projects that will contribute to the creation of ‘accessible hotspots' – areas with a concentrated number of accessibility initiatives.

For example, Mount Maunganui is already home to beach access mats and chairs, accessible picnic tables, and the trail rider – Te kaiwhakatere. An upgrade to the play area at Mount Drury Reserve – Hopukiore in 2022 will add to the development of the first accessible hotspot.

Commission chair Anne Tolley says council wants to create a network of highly accessible and inclusive public spaces so everyone can enjoy and play a full and active part in our city.

'While we're initially concentrating on upgrades and improvements in Mount Maunganui, we're also identifying priority areas for future upgrades and improvements.”

To help with planning these areas, council is seeking feedback from people with disabilities or access needs, and people interested in accessibility.

Have your say by February 28, by dropping in to one of the two community days – Wednesday, February 16, or Saturday, February 19, from 10am-2pm, Mount Drury Reserve - Hopukiore or complete a survey at: www.tauranga.govt.nz/accessiblehotspots

Alternatively email: [email protected] or write to: Accessible Hotspots, Private Bag 12022, Tauranga 3143.

You can also invite the project team to one of your community organisation's meetings or provide your feedback in New Zealand Sign Language via: www.seeflow.co.nz/direct

Visit: www.tauranga.govt.nz/accessiblehotspots to find out more.

Visit: www.tauranga.govt.nz/accessiblehotspots to find out more.