All aboard to Tahuna
Tāhunanui’s playground train is back in place to entertain new generations of children.
The new train, with a bright orange engine and three colourful carriages, continues the Nelson Host Lions Club’s long legacy after it began developing the playground in 1963.
The old concrete train that had been climbed over by generations of local children, was removed in 2023 after part of it was damaged by vandals, revealing rusting reinforcing that made it unsafe.
The Lions club designed and built a replacement wooden train with help from sponsors and construction by Menzshed Waimea members. Students from nearby Tāhunanui School were asked for input and asked for a steering wheel on the engine, providing a hands-on experience.
It provided an instant hit for the school’s students who clambered over the train when it was unveiled on Friday.
Nelson mayor Nick Smith told the audience at the opening that he had played on the original train as a child, as had his own children.
Alongside him was 93-year-old Peter Vining, who is still an active Lions member and whose father Phillip was the Lions Club project director for the playground in 1963. The following year Peter was present when the original train was installed at the site.
He said his father would have been chuffed to see that the train was embarking on another journey.
“When I’ve been working down here, I’ve talked to adults and they’d say to me, you know, I played here as a kid.”
His children and grandchildren had also been drawn to the playground.
“It’s gone through generations and it’s not only locals; its visitors from far and wide overseas. They come here and they love it.”
The Nelson Host Lions Club said it was already planning more enhancements for the playground, including shade sails over the train area, refurbishment of the castle, and more equipment.
By Warren Gamble, Nelson Mail
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