Chorus Box on Oxford St, painted by Arty Vicky. Design based on Levin Adventure Playground

It was both a privilege and an honour to conduct a joint Citizenship and Civic Honours Ceremony in the Freyberg Lounge of the Levin War Memorial Hall on Friday, 28 March 2003. Council has operated a civic honours award system since 1995 and it was pleasing to make awards to outstanding citizens who have provided voluntary service to our community and duly recognised for the 2002 year.

The recipients were Helen and Collis Blake for their work with the Levin Adventure Park Charitable Trust under the Recreation and Sport/Community Affairs sections and Mr Cornelis (Cor) Slobbe of Foxton Beach for his work with the Foxton Windmill Trust, also under the Community Affairs section.

Helen and Collis Blake were jointly awarded for the vision they had for the old Levin School site, which had presented a very negative image of Levin with its deserted buildings and grounds that were subject to increased vandalism and deterioration. The Levin Adventure Park Charitable Trust has worked determinedly to raise funds to establish what is now seen as an extremely popular, professionally run and worthwhile facility meeting the education, physical and social needs for all ages and sectors of the greater florowhenua community. Helen and Collis have worked tirelessly and positively to achieve the Trust's initial aims and continue to work on a daily basis on this project in a voluntary capacity.

The second award to Cor Stobbe was to recognise the Large voluntary contribution he has made as a member of the Foxton Windmill Trust's vision to build a full size working Dutch flour mill in Foxton. Apart from constructing two scale models of the proposed mill to assist in the marketing of the project, he also took full charge of the construction, consulting with professional engineers on design and building codes, as well as preparing the working drawings for the rather complex upper timber structure.
To emphasise the attention to detail and dedication that Cor has provided to this project, it should be noted that one of the models took 600 hours to construct. This clearly mirrors the attention to the detail that has been similarly applied to the full sized structure.

The civic honours that have been bestowed upon these three recipients should not belittle the wide range of community service from the other eight applicants. It is clearly evident to me as the District Mayor, we have much to be thankful for within our District when we have so many people providing long and dedicated service in our many communities that make up our District.

I am sure that you will also convey your own personal congratulations to the three Civic Honour recipients for 2002.

Tom Robinson
District Mayor

It was both a privilege and an honour to conduct a joint Citizenship and Civic Honours Ceremony in the Freyberg Lounge of the Levin War Memorial Hall on Friday, 28 March 2003. Council has operated a civic honours award system since 1995 and it was pleasing to make awards to outstanding citizens who have provided voluntary service to our community and duly recognised for the 2002 year.

The recipients were Helen and Collis Blake for their work with the Levin Adventure Park Charitable Trust under the Recreation and Sport/Community Affairs sections and Mr Cornelis (Cor) Slobbe of Foxton Beach for his work with the Foxton Windmill Trust, also under the Community Affairs section.

Helen and Collis Blake were jointly awarded for the vision they had for the old Levin School site, which had presented a very negative image of Levin with its deserted buildings and grounds that were subject to increased vandalism and deterioration. The Levin Adventure Park Charitable Trust has worked determinedly to raise funds to establish what is now seen as an extremely popular, professionally run and worthwhile facility meeting the education, physical and social needs for all ages and sectors of the greater florowhenua community. Helen and Collis have worked tirelessly and positively to achieve the Trust's initial aims and continue to work on a daily basis on this project in a voluntary capacity.

The second award to Cor Stobbe was to recognise the Large voluntary contribution he has made as a member of the Foxton Windmill Trust's vision to build a full size working Dutch flour mill in Foxton. Apart from constructing two scale models of the proposed mill to assist in the marketing of the project, he also took full charge of the construction, consulting with professional engineers on design and building codes, as well as preparing the working drawings for the rather complex upper timber structure.
To emphasise the attention to detail and dedication that Cor has provided to this project, it should be noted that one of the models took 600 hours to construct. This clearly mirrors the attention to the detail that has been similarly applied to the full sized structure.

The civic honours that have been bestowed upon these three recipients should not belittle the wide range of community service from the other eight applicants. It is clearly evident to me as the District Mayor, we have much to be thankful for within our District when we have so many people providing long and dedicated service in our many communities that make up our District.

I am sure that you will also convey your own personal congratulations to the three Civic Honour recipients for 2002.

Tom Robinson
District Mayor

On 20 September 2002, the Horowhenua-Kapiti Chinese Sports and Cultural Association ran an August Moon Festival Fundraising for the Levin Adventure Playground at the Phoenix Garden Restaurant, Oxford Street, Levin.

The new tunnel for the old train from the lake park.

The train used to be at Lake Horowhenua domain, but has been shifted to the Levin Adventure Park on State Highway 1 South, Levin.

Updated 1 0/1 /03

LEVIN ADVENTURE PARK CHARITABLE TRUST

The Levin Adventure Park Charitable Trust

The Levin Adventure Park Charitable Trust was established in May 2001 for the sole purpose of developing an Adventure Park on a large disused site in the centre of Levin for the benefit of the whole Levin community. The Trust leased the seven acre site (formerly the site of the old Levin School which was burnt down) from the Office of Treaty Settlements on a ten plus ten year lease. The Trust was granted Charitable Trust status and is (1ST registered.

The Vision

The vision of the Trustees, Helen and Collis Blake, MNZM, is to build a Park that

will provide fun and exciting physical challenges for the children and young people of Levin, in a lovely park environment with facilities for families to enjoy. As the site is situated on State Highway One and next to the Visitors Information Centre, the vision is also to provide an attraction for visitors to Levin and create a top-class facility for which Levin will become known in the wider region.

Project Design

The Park design incorporates an extensive range of activities for all age groups from an enclosed play area for babies and toddlers to beach volleyball to outdoor chess for the young at heart. Extensive research into park, playground and recreational facilities and use by young people was conducted by the Trustees and Project Manager throughout the lower North Island and in consultation with local children who confirmed the need for such a park and contributed to its design.

Progress to Date

Work on the Park and fund-raising both began immediately. This enabled Stage 1 to be completed within eight months and the Park was opened to the public in time for Christmas 2001 and the summer holidays. This included the toilets, kiosk and a large range of play and challenge structures and facilities.

During 2002 Stage H was implemented including landscaping, planting and paving, and extending the range of play equipment. Now at the beginning of 2003, the Park has enjoyed its second very successful summer! The development of the Park is nearing completion (there is still some more to do) and the Trustees are moving towards ensuring the Park is well maintained.

The following have been completed (10/1/03):

Main carpark sealed Northern carpark

Earthworks and installation of underground water, electricity and drainage Kiosk with indoor picnic area, vending machines, free hot water and microwave Toilet block

Attractive paving between Toilet block and Kiosk

Enclosed toddler play area, with fun village, toddler swings and spring see-saw

Senior confidence challenge (age 8+) Adult wire challenge

Double Flying Fox High slide & Rope net

Intermediate swings Roktopus

Senior swings Tumbling drums

Junior trampoline Senior trampoline

In-line skating area Junior skateboarding area

Disability swings Disabled play structure

Basketball hoops Climbing bars

Beach volleyball Four barbecues

Two drinking fountains Fitness trail

Outdoor chess Park seats

Picnic tables Playing field

Dog rest area Boundary planting and fencing

Extensive grassing Tree planting

Security lights Signage

Community Benefit

The Park has been enthusiastically welcomed by the people of Levin. To say it has frequently been crowded over the summer holidays is not an overstatement. It is used by families, groups, travellers and a wide variety of ethnic and socio-economic groups. It is particularly popular for birthday parties, picnics and large group get- togethers. Teams practice on the field and use the fitness trail. Families picnic. The toddler's area, the senior challenge, the trampoline, the flying fox and the BBQs are all extremely popular. The beach volleyball is popular for both volleyball and making sandcastles.

Attached are examples of the very positive press coverage the project has received. At any one time anywhere between sixty and a hundred people are using the park. It is never empty. Word has spread quickly and travellers are deliberately stopping at the park to refresh themselves.

Value for Money

To date raised over $400,000 has been raised to fund the development of the Park. The Trustees are very pleased with what has been accomplished and the high usage of the Park. They believe that funders have received exceptionally good value for money for their investment. This is due to two main factors: I. Daily hands-on management by the Trustees and 2. Most of the work has been done by local businesses and contractors. The popularity of the Park is attributed, at least in part, to the thoughtful and unique design of each piece of equipment and their layout as part of a total park design with something for everyone. And that cost hinders nothing.

Community Support and Involvement

The Trustees have been greatly encouraged by the spontaneous community support. Many local businesses, members of the community and service groups are giving their help through work, services, fundraising or goods in kind with materials provided at cost or below by local businesses. The Park has been generously supported by the Horowhenua District Council who granted the Trust $50,000 for building quality toilet facilities. Altrusa have raised funds for the toddlers area and the Levin Rotary Club built the fitness trail. Trees were planted by seventh-formers from Waiopehu College. Labour has been provided by people serving periodic detention.

Still to be completed

Disabled play area — near completion

Junior confidence challenge with slides (ages 3-6) — near completion More seating and rubbish bins

Ripping up and grassing of large tar-sealed area (from original school) Further planting and landscaping

Funds for Completion and Maintenance

A further $40,000 is needed to complete the Park. In addition, $45,000 per year will also be required for ongoing maintenance and management of the Park, including the cost of cleaners and a part-time caretaker (already employed). The Trustees are continuing to seek financial assistance from both major and smaller donors, sponsors, philanthropic organisations and businesses.

Your contribution is most welcome and will be greatly appreciated. It may be targeted to a specific item if preferred. All contributions are openly acknowledged; this may include appropriate signage.

LEVIN ADVENTURE PARK ANNUAL EXPENDITURE BUDGET 2003 -- 2004

Incl GST

ACC 500

Insurance 850

Security 450

Phone 900

Power 1900

Sundry Running 500

Inspections/safety 500

Bank/office/misc 400

Toilets 10,000

Wages 15,000

Rent 5,000

Running repairs 5,000

Long term repairs 5,000

Reduction of o/d 10,000

40,000 $15600

-GST $14,222

TOTAL 54,222

Capital Works Earthworks^+ $15,000 Carparks/entrance- metal^+ $8,000 -seal^ $17,500 Hard landscaping and seal^ $14,200 Fencing^ $3,000 Ropes# $3,800 Soft landscaping, grass^ $5,000 Plants/planting^+ $3,500 Arena^ $18,000 (including $5,000 from Nothing but Wheels) Beach volleyball area* $6,000 Kiosk (incl hot water)^ $40,000 Toilet^+ (incl sewerage) $92,000 (includes wood used for Kiosk) Electricity^ $12,000 Water/Drainage^ $6,000 Play equipment installation & 'concreting-in' costs^ $12,000 Safety matting# (300m2) $21,000 Bark^ $8,000 Subtotal $285,000

Adventure Equipment

0-3 enclosed play* - Funded by Altrusa (valued at $5,000)

2 double toddler swings $ 3,131

Disabled equipment#* $ 18,000

3-5 climbing structure* $ 8,000

3-5 hexagonal swings* $ 3,465

3-5 spring see-saw# $ 2,641

Small tramp (4-7)^+ $ 2,000

Sprinkler feature* $ 12,000 5-8 climbing,slide structure*

5-8 climbing, slide structure $ 9,000

5-8 flying fox* $ 4,000

2 double swings* $ 2,657

Tumbling drums# $ 12,515 ('mouse haus')

Roktopus# $ 7,059

8-12 challenge structure^+ $ 12,000

2 large tramps (8+)^+ - Donated by Canvasland & O'Brien's stockbuyers ($4,000)

8-12 flying fox/hill* $ 6,000

with tall slide^ $ 2,000

12+ wire challenge* $ 6,000

Volleyball equipment# $ 1,000

Skateboarding equipment^ $ 4,000

Basketball hoops# $3,500

ports Equipment# $2,800

Fitness trail* - Funded and bilt by Rotary Club (valued $5,000)

Outdoor chess# $6,500

Subtotal $128,268

Park Facilities

2 bike racks^ $400

10 park benches^ - Funded by Levin Club or donated (valued $2,000)

12 picnic tables^ $1,200

Hanging out seating* $2,800

8 rubbish bins# $2,400

3 BBQs#+ $4,144 (1 donated, valued at $2,072)

Shade sails^ $6,000

4 drinking fountains# $3,000

Subtotal $ 19,944

Miscellaneous $ 5,000

(Permits, insurance, equipment hire, tip fees, bank fees, legal fees etc)

Subtotal $ 5,000

Grand Total $438,212

Less GST refunded $ 54,776

Total to be Raised $383,436

TARGET $ 383,436

Raised To Date $ 224,389

Still To Raise $ 159,047

Key

# Purchased complete, best indicative price or quote from supplier including shipping and GST (and some installation of play equipment).

Note: due to extra costs such as freight, labour and installation, cost in budget may show as higher than attached quotes.

* Made locally to our design, discounted price

^ Purchased locally, discounted price

+ Price reduced due to reduced price by supplier, purchase at cost or discount, or goods and services donated, including trades and labour.

Prices for individual items include GST but GST is excluded from the total to be raised.

Mini-golf is not included in this budget

Budget Revised 25/9/01 to take account of donated goods/ services and new quotes.

20 January 2003

Mr & Mrs C Blake
Arapaepae Road
Levin

Dear Collis and Helen

The Horowhenua Special Olympics committee cordially invite you to attend the Official Opening of our 2 new Bocce courts at the Levin Adventure Park on the 9 February 2003, at 1.30pm.

This project has been led by Horowhenua Special Olympics committee member Mr Bill Wright with the assistance of many volunteers. Funding for the project was provided by the Driscoll Trust and discounted materials from various local suppliers also helped to keep costs down.

Yours sincerely

Sharron Whakatihi
Secretary

R.S.V.P by the 5th of February to Sharron Phone: 06 368 2392 hm 106367 8440 wk
E-mail: whakatihi@paradise.net.nz

LEVIN ADVENTURE PARK
Trust Director: Collis Blake
Tel: 06 368 6185
Mob: 025 461 007
Fax: 06 368 8368
Email: collis.blake@xtra.co.nz
Address: 701 S.H. 57
R.D. 1 LEVIN

Project Manager: Susan Malaya
Tel: 06 354 1234
Email: susan.maiava@xtra.co.nz
Address: 23 Elmira Avenue
PALMERSTON NORTH

Dear Friends and Supporters

A year has passed since we started building at the Adventure Park, and it's time to bring you up to date. It has been a very busy year for the Trustees, but a very gratifying one with the progress we have made and the enthusiasm and help we have had from so many people.

The first to be built was the toilet block, with facilities to cope with busloads of passengers, as well as for the disabled and babies. This was closely followed by the Kiosk, with a sink, free boiling water and microwave, soft drink dispenser and tables and chairs. The golf challenge will be administered from here later in the year.

The Senior Wire Rope Challenge and the Beach Volley Ball were next, the sand also being used by small children for making sand castles! This was closely followed by the babies enclosure with swings, slide, fun village and seesaw, then the great Intermediate Climbing Challenge. On to the Flying Foxes, the two side by side being really popular. The thirteen swings are constantly in use, as is the trampoline. Four swings for the disabled are being made now.

More recently we have put two tumbling drums in a very neat little house designed to match the two double barbecue shelters — these were a great success over the summer. The giant chess set is ready, but we are waiting until we have a full time caretaker before we put it out. A junior skate board ramp for beginners, young blade and board skaters and bike riders is very good.

Nearly finished construction is a climbing structure for three, four and five-years-olds, so that will definitely keep them happy. This structure also has ramps, handrails and play equipment especially designed for the disabled. Also ready to be installed is another trampoline, a maypole and another seesaw.

Last week we put soft safety matting right through the babies area, and matting around the trampoline under the swings and on both sides of the tumbling drums. We have put in a high slide, and there will be more climbing nets this coming week.

Very soon we hope to start landscaping the area between the toilets and the kiosk with paving and trees. Also to go in are more trees in strategic shade positions and a low hedge enclosure around the chess. By spring we hope to have the golf Putting Challenge Open, and this will bring in a much needed source of income for a full-time caretaker.

The toilets are very well used, and are always very clean and fresh. The kiosk is used much more than we expected, for lunches, inside picnics in rough weather, and is hugely popular for children's birthday parties.

We are very grateful to our builders, Graham, Ross, Malcolm and the men who work with them for their willing work and co-operation. Les, our part-time caretaker, works beyond the call of duty. Fay and Daniel keep the toilets spotless. Susan is our designer and fundraiser, and we could not have made such great progress without her help. Barbara has good ideas and gives us lots of encouragement.

Community support has been tremendous, and we are most encouraged by your enthusiasm. Not only are local children and parents happy, but so many travellers enjoy the park too. At the weekends, in good weather, there can be up to 200 children and adults there at any one time. By next summer we will have more seats, gardens, drinking fountains and hopefully tar-sealed parking.

Thank you all, for without you generous input we could not have achieved our aim of giving pleasure to the people of Levin and travellers alike. Your assistance and encouragement has been outstanding and is very much appreciated.

Collis Blake
Trust Director

Room [5]
Fairfield School
89 Macarthur Street
Levin

15th February 2001

Dear Mr Collis Blake,

We think you have a perfect idea. I think you should fix up the tatty Levin School playground and make it into a big wonderful play ground.

I think the play ground should have slides, big roundabout, a pool, a flying fox, and BBQ, seats and toilet.

I think you should call the park Levin’s Family Park. We are looking forward to seeing your new park.

Yours sincerely,

Andrea Leyland

Dear Mr Collis Blake,

We read in the Chronicle about your magnificent idea and I think it is fantastic. In Rotorua there is a park with a plane and lots of barbecues. I would like a swimming pool and a hydroslide, tables for people to eat on. I would like you to check it out because the school grounds are sad and tatty. You should make a fantastic park so people can play on a flying fox, paddling pools and for little people to go on a train ride and it can be free to go on it. When you make the park I think it should be named the Super-Duper park so people will like the super-duper park.

People would like tables and barbecues like 3 or 5 barbecues for people to eat and drink on. Toilets should be in the corner. We look forward to hearing more about plans.

Yours sincerely,

Torey Slatter

LEVIN ADVENTURE PARK CHARITABLE TRUST

PRESS RELEASE 24 October 2001

GOOD PROGRESS BEING MADE AT ADVENTURE PARK

The kiosk, the other main building and sited near the toilets, is nearing completion and should be up and running, equipped with food and drink vending machines, by mid-November. On the far side of the park the arena for in-line skating, partly funded by Nothing but Wheels, is complete, the beach volleyball court is complete, and the wire challenge and double flying fox will be completed in the next week or so. Around the perimeter a fitness trail has been installed by the Rotary Club of Levin and is available for use now, although signs have yet to be installed.

Meanwhile the surfaces for grassing and installation of play equipment are being prepared. And, while all that is going on at the park, a lot is happening behind the scenes, ready for much of the adventure and play equipment to be installed towards the end of November. This will include a Roktopus, tumbling drums, pentagonal swings, and an obstacle challenge structure which has been especially designed for the Park and is being built locally.

An enclosed play area for babies and toddlers is also currently being installed. This area will be built as a result of a lot of dedicated fundraising by the Altrusa Club of Levin, including a walk or run around the streets of Levin last Sunday. A unique feature in this area is a play village also specifically designed for the Park and built locally.

While there is still a long way to go, the Park Trustees, Collis and Helen Blake, and their supporters are really pleased with the progress to date and the level of community support. Fundraising by several groups in the community and the project manager is continuing and the Trustees say that as long as the funds continue to come in, the park will continue to be developed.

HEADS OF AGREEMENT

LANDLORD KNIGHT FRANK on behalf of OFFICE OF TREATY SETTLEMENTS

TENANT COLLIS JOHN BLAKE as Convener for Levin Adventure Park, a non profit organisation to be formed

PROPERTY OXFORD STREET, LEVIN

PROPERTY DESCRIPTION Former Levin Primary School Site 93-113 Oxford Street, Levin 3.2767 hectares more or less being Pt Section 28 Levin suburban C/T 46C/835 Wellington Land Registry (excluding land leased to the Horowhenua District Council as a Visitors Inforrnation*C entre).

RENT REVIEWS Rent reviews will be held every 5 years from commencement date.

RENT 55,000 (plus GST per annum) payable 6 monthly in advance by automatic payment.

TERM Ten years commencing 2. 2001 subject to the clauses below.

RIGHT OF RENEWAL A right of renewal exists for a further term of ten years subject to the clauses below.

SUBLEASING The landlord will not unreasonably withhold any request from the Tenant to sublease all or part of the property.

RATES Tenant responsibility for annual rates to be invoiced annually to the tenant by the landlord.

USE For purposes beneficial to the community with an emphasis on youth.

UTILITIES The Tenant is responsible for all outgoings,
being maintenance of grounds, rubbish removal
and other utilities or services including the
protection of the Oak trees on site, these are to
be maintained in a husband like manner.

RESOURCE MANAGEMENT ACT The Tenant is responsible for Resource Management Compliance in accordance with its intended use.

MAINTENANCE The Tenant shall provide for the future
maintenance of the fences.

INDEMNITY The tenant shall indemnify the Landlord against all
damage or loss resulting from any act or omission
on part of the Tenant or Tenant's employees or
contractors. The Tenant shall recompense the
Landlord for all expenses incurred by the
Landlord in making good any damage to the
property resulting from any such act or omission.
The tenant shall be liable to indemnify only to the
extent that the Landlord is not fully indemnified
under any policy of insurance.

PUBLIC IDEMNITY INSURANCE The Tenant is responsible to keep current
an insurance policy to cover public risk.

ACCESS The owner or their representative will have
access to inspect the property by giving 24
hours notice.

ARBITRATION In case any dispute or difference shall arise
between the parties touching the construction of
this Agreement or as to any matter or thing
arising hereunder, such dispute or difference, if
not otherwise provided for by any of the
foregoing provisions shall be referred to the
Arbitration of a single Arbitrator in case the
parties can agree on one and otherwise to two
Arbitrators, one appointed by each of the
parties or to their Umpire (such Umpire to be
appointed by the Arbitrators before proceeding
to the reference) and in either case in
accordance in all respects with the provisions
contained in the Arbitration Act 1908 or any
statutory modification or re-enactment thereof
for the time being in force.

AND it is hereby declared as follows:

1. In the event of a breach of any of the conditions of this agreement, or in the
event of the whole or any portion of the said land being required for sale or
other purpose this agreement may be determined at any time by the Landlord, in
respect of the whole or any portion of the land upon the Landlord giving to
the Tenant not less than one calender month's notice in writing of its intention
so to determine this agreement.

2. Upon the expiration or soon determination of the agreement, either as to the
whole or any part of the said land, the tenant shall not be entitled to
compensation for any improvement affected by it and shall within six months if
required by the Landlord to do so shall remove all buildings, enclosures, fencing
or other improvements effected or purchased by it.

Should this agreement be determined pursuant to this clause the tenant
acknowledges to the fullest extent permitted by law that is shall have no claim
for any loss harm or damage it may thereby suffer and notwithstanding any
rule of law on equity to the contrary hereby waves and released the Landlord
from all and any liability in respect of any such determination.

Dated this //,' day of / ,2001

Signed by

BRIAN G KENDRICK

Property Manager for and on behalf of
OFFICE OF TREATY SETTLEMENTS