Kowhai Park (Wanganui): The Best Playground in the Word -- Ever! 12 November 2010

Roger was born and grew up on Anzac Parade, a lovely street on the east side of the Whanganui River in Wanganui.  Roger has for decades proclaimed that "Wanganui" means stinking hole in the Maori language, but the current official word is that it means "large bay" because of the big bend in the river near the city center.  It is reported that the big bend was the home of the Taniwha, a being that lives in deep pools in rivers, dark caves, or in the sea.  The Taniwha symbol is common in Maori bone carvings.

Across the street from the old Clark Family home, literally a hop and jump away, is an attraction that has entertained Seymour, Melissa, Ted, and Ashley for decades, Kowhai Park.  Ashley recently researched the subject (wanting to show her friends what a good place it is) and found a website proclaiming Kowhai Park the "best playground in the world."  She agrees.  So of course we had to take Grace to see the old family haunts;.

When Roger lived there, it was an empty field which was used to provide overnight accommodations for sheep being driven down the road on the way to have their throats cut at the freezing works.  He and his friends often played football (rugby to us) and cricket there.  After he went to university, construction began with a whale to entertain children.  This was followed over by the construction of a large number of playground structures based on storybook characters.  The shoe of the Little Old Lady who lived there, the spider who scared Little Miss Muffet, the Flintstones' dinosaur, Goldilocks's Three Bears, sea serpent swings (say that three times).  An old Pirate Ship to play on, a castle to play in, and a Tot Town Railway to ride on.  The most impressive wooden jungle gym we've ever seen, and a Flying Fox to boot.  Recent additions to the park (not there ten years ago) include a modern Skateboard Park and BMX track.

Since Ashley wants to show off Kowhai Park to her friends, we've include a bunch of photos  below, starring Grace.  Happy trip down memory lane, Ashley!