A group of people who descend on Kulim Park weekly to play pétanque will no longer have to negotiate soggy grass, puddles or play on uneven terrain thanks to a facility upgrade by Tauranga City Council.

Keith Overend, who has been playing pétanque at Kulim Park for four years, says the informal group has been getting together for more than decade.

But in recent years, the dozen-odd participants – aged in their ‘mature’ years, says Keith – have had trouble accessing the site and playing in puddles.

“It was clay base with fine grit on it – but it wasn’t a very good layer of grit. But the biggest problem was drainage; it used to pool in one corner and we have seen the terrain three-quarters covered in water in heavy rain in the last 18 months.

“The grass was also sodden around the terrain – sometimes there were puddles, so access and sitting around between games became difficult.”

Keith says Tauranga City Council announced an upgrade of the park – and initially wanted to shift the pétanque terrain to the main gates.

“We persuaded Tauranga City Council to leave it put, as it’s a good space, then somehow it got dropped off the upgrade list.”

However, Keith says the council has since installed new drainage underneath the pétanque terrain and lifted the surface by about 250mm. 

 “They’ve also laid a new surface, which is more even and consistent – and is designed so surplus water will drain off the surface. So it should not pond at all now.”

Tauranga City Council senior landscape architect Clinton Bowyer says council upgraded the petanque court as it is an established play facility at Kulim Park.

“It fits well with the basketball court close by as they both cater for active members of age groups other than young children," says Clinton.

"Most of our smaller parks tend to concentrate on activities for younger children in the form of junior playgrounds but in larger reserves there is a trend to create active areas for older age groups. For example, skateparks, basketball courts, cycle tracks, petanque courts etc.

“Offering the general public opportunities to stay active and participate in group activities is one of the aims of the Spaces and Places team, so it is great to see so many Tauranga retirees actively participating in sports like pétanque."

Keith says a raised footpath has also been laid from the pétanque terrain to the park entry “so we can access it with dry feet”.

“We play every week on a Wednesday morning from 9.30am, if fine weather – and we’d love more players to join us! Especially now the pétanque terrain has been upgraded.”

Keith says the group is very grateful to Tauranga City Council for the upgrade – and now welcome all to play – “just bring your own chair and morning tea!”

“It’s a very relaxed, friendly fun group.”