​Oh, nope – no rope! (for a while)

Masterton District Council is removing the rope climbing frame from the Kids Own Playground in Queen Elizabeth Park due to the deterioration of the plastic coating on the wire rope.

This damage, due to time, was allowing strands of wire to stick up from the rope in places.

After being notified of a child having had their hand pricked by wire, affected areas were taped in an effort to allow its continued use, but a decision has now been made to remove the equipment as the problem is getting worse.

The Council’s General Manager - Community Corin Haines, said the climbing frame would be replaced as soon as possible.

“We know it is a very popular piece of equipment – and that wear and tear is one of the main reasons we are having to replace it. We appreciate some of the younger members of our community will be disappointed but I guarantee a climbing frame will be back.

“We’ll be using a New Zealand supplier for a new frame as this is significantly cheaper than replacing the rope in the existing frame and we are keen to support local suppliers where possible. An order has been lodged, and we’ll be keeping people informed when we get a definite timeframe for the new frame.”

The climbing frame was installed about 16 years ago.