Tahunanui School kids testing out the new park, Te Pā Harakeke Photo: Supplied/ Nelson City Council
A seaside park in Nelson that spent decades overrun with weed and algae has officially re-opened to the public today, after more than a year in the making.
Formerly known as the Modeller's Pond, the now tidal park is called Te Pā Harakeke and contains natural play equipment for kids, native plants and plenty of open space for activities.
Nelson City Council capital projects team leader Rebecca Dawkins said the vision was to bring natural elements and play spaces together to represent the environment of the Waimea Estuary.
"On a full tide, it looks quite different to a low tide and there's elements of play for small children right up to teenagers who will probably enjoy the space too," Dawkins said.
The park has a rope climbing course, a floor-is-lava trail, hammocks, a teepee, and a bird-watching hut.
"It's a really family friendly space, lots of shade areas and grassed areas for quiet time as well as letting your children explore all of the different creative play elements within the park."
Decommissioning of the old pond began at the end of 2021 and Dawkins said native fish living in the pond were captured when it was drained, with about 300 eels rehomed in different areas of Nelson city.
Photo: Supplied/ Nelson City Council
Wet weather through winter and staff absences due to Covid-19 had meant construction of the park was delayed.
People would still be able to ride model trains around the park as they had done for many years, as the Nelson Society of Modellers had built new tracks around the park.
"Many people will remember the pond and there's a lot of nostalgia in the community about how that pond was used, but we're really hoping that the community can make new memories with this space," Dawkins said.