Owen "OJ" Jackson has big plans for the Caroline Bay playground.
Owen "OJ" Jackson wants residents to think big when it comes to designing a playground at Caroline Bay. The radio DJ thinks the spaces in the existing playground are "very dated and out of touch with the community's needs" and on Thursday evening will host a "blue sky meeting" at The Croft where he will outline some of his ideas for its refresh. "I was inspired by visiting the Margaret Mahy playground in Christchurch," he said...
Matthew Littlewood Stuff Timaru Herald
"It's not just about having a swing or a flying fox, but also how they're incorporated into the character of the community," Jackson said.
Jackson said the playground needed to have "play spaces for everybody".
"The timing couldn't have been better. The Government has been talking about wellbeing in their Budget, well, what could be more important to wellbeing than having a place to play and relax."
Jackson first raised the idea when he ran for the Timaru District Council in the 2017 by-election won by Nigel Bowen. Jackson said he was not running for council at this year's elections, but still thought the playground idea was a good one for the community.
"Any project like this needs a team of people behind it, so I'm keen to find some like-minded people willing to join me in this," he said.
Jackson said he had already approached a number of people, including Timaru District councillor Peter Burt, council parks and recreation manager Bill Steans and Rushton Architects director John Rushton in the early stages of the project.
"If we go by what projects of a similar size cost, I imagine this one would be a $1 million job," he said.
"It would be great to utilise local businesses for this idea, and get some of the local community groups on board with the fundraising."
Jackson said the people he had approached about the idea had been "very positive".
The meeting will begin at 7pm.