Grouse mouse house

Feb 21, 2022

Wheel deal: Four-year-old Hamish Jemison with Chloe and Cooper Grinter in the mouse house, the last component of the Wirima Park playspace to arrive on site. It is one of the most popular components of the play area.

Play time: The keeper of the Wirima Park, Bunjil, with Shay-lee and Isabella Butler. The carving is just one feature of the now completed playspace.

Wirima Rotary Park is now fully operational, the additions of the much-anticipated mouse house and whimsical library completing the playspace facility.

Hold tight - we’re checking permissions before loading more content

The park was in full swing at the weekend as a constant flow of eager children and relaxed parents shared the playspace in perfect summer weather.

Eliza Watson, part of the committee that oversaw the playspace from start to finish, said the initial days of the park’s opening had indicated that the wait was worthwhile.

“The joy we have gotten from seeing people of all ages enjoy this new playspace cannot be put into words,” she said.

“From the early morning explorers to the dusky evening adventurers, we are just so happy for our community.

“It has been a team effort that we are incredibly thankful for.

“We will try to keep this shorter than an Oscars acceptance speech but please bear with us while we acknowledge some really important people.”

She explained the cubby/play kitchen was donated by a Rochester team led by Leigh Wilson, with Rochester Mitre 10, Paul Evans Welding and Southern Cross Transportable Homes providing all that was needed for construction.

“The cubby is a huge hit with cupcake makers and stew stirrers alike,” Ms Watson said.

“We offer our heartfelt gratitude to the Rochester Business Network, along with Jenny Turner and Sam Campi, for their unwavering support throughout the whole process.”

Ms Watson said project manager Paul Arthurson kept the development going with a much-needed calm head.

“Councillor Paul Jarman advocated for us when our puff had nearly run out, giving us the stamina to get what we wanted,” she said.

“Justine Image from Sentient Designs is the brains and creativity behind this amazing play space, but she provided us with so much more than the drawings.

“She had no idea what she was getting into when she signed up for this project, but she answered every question and stressed phone call with grace and wisdom.”

Ms Watson said the team at Ian Evans Creative Landscapes had taken the plan and turned it into a reality beyond imagination.

“Such a hard-working, talented bunch of landscapers, we appreciate every stump you so artfully placed and every stone you painstakingly spread,” Ms Watson said.