Feedback helps get planning underway

A recent community open day at Mangawhai to outline plans and develop a vision for the future of Mangawhai Park has been described by project steering group chairman Jim Wintle as “very, very successful.”

The steering group, which includes representatives from the Mangawhai Track Trust, St John Ambulance, the Mangawhai Historical Museum, Mangawhai Club, Mangawhai Golf Club and the Mangawhai Activity Zone, held the open day as a way of introducing the community to a number of concept displays for the park. 

Familiar to most locals and situated off Molesworth Drive, Mangawhai Park is a large area of relatively undeveloped land that sits between Mangawhai Heads and the Village.

Recent development on the site has included the Mangawhai Museum and Mangawhai Skate Park. 

Concept displays and plans were set up to show those attending what development in Mangawhai Park might look like and was seen as the starting point for getting community feedback and suggestions. 

“Around two hundred people attended throughout the day,” said Mr Wintle. “They came to look and to ask questions. The park is seen as a very important part of Mangawhai and it was very heartening to see that amount of interest. It is tremendous to see the community doing it for themselves. The challenge, of course, will be keeping up the momentum and retaining that high level of interest.” 

The information gathered throughout the day will now be analysed by the steering group with assistance from the Kaipara District Council. 

Those who were unable to attend the open day can come to the next one, said Mr Wintle. 

The community will get to have further input into the results at another open day to be held at the Mangawhai Club on Saturday November 10.