Did you know that one of Featherston’s favourite authors loved to draw and tell stories and has now sold over 40 million books worldwide? That author is Joy Cowley and the Featherston playground named in honour of her storytelling is to have a refurbishment this year. 

“The playground refurbishment is themed around some of Joy Cowley’s books and will see a number of health and safety issues being addressed. These include unsafe structures being removed and replaced, the flying fox being relocated, introducing a soft pour surface and improving accessibility. This work will cover areas of the playground closest to Tait Crescent. The remainder of the playground will be worked on over the coming years,” says Stefan Corbett, Group Manager Infrastructure and Community Operations for South Wairarapa District Council.  

The upcoming refurbishment will futureproof the playground into a more modern, safer environment for tamariki to enjoy. 

Joy Cowley has been named a national taonga. She lived in Featherston for 20 years and relocated to Dunedin in 2023 to be near to friends and family. The Joy Cowley playground is one of our tamariki’s (children) favourite places to play. It was renamed after the author in 2023. 

Watch this space for an update on the Joy Cowley Playground upgrade and closure dates while work is underway. 

Below: Render -Joy Cowley Playground refurbishment