Fantasyland Summary

FANTASYLAND
(area 5.3 hectares)

ORIGIN:
Idea introduced in 1965 by the then President of Greater Hastings Inc., Mr H.B. (Harry) Poppelwell following an overseas trip.

$27,142 was raised by means of a Queen Carnival. This with a subsidy of $8,000 from the Golden Kiwi Art Union, paid for the fencing, railway bridges, boat shed, materials for the railway and part cost of the castle, edges to the lake and professional designers fees.

THE CASTLE:
Actual cost $15,403. Crest/Birds Eye Social Club raised $8,000 of this sum. Design based on Fantasyland Castle, Disneyland. Opened in 1968.

THE TRAIN:
The original engine converted from a Ferguson 18h.p. tractor by Mr Cyril Barclay (labour costs donated). The original open carriages were all donated. The present design for engine and carriages were built by Riddell Engineering in December 1988.

Railway track – approximately 633m long, laid by members of the Hastings Lions Club. Later extended by Parks staff to take the extensions to the fenceline.

PICNIC AREA:
Originally the Railway Station. Cost $1,058 donated by Hastings Rotary Club – designed by a Club member, Mr L.J.J. Hoogerbrug. Opened in 1968.

THE SHOE:
$600 of the total cost of approximately $700 given by the Lions Club, Hastings. Construction – plaster over frame of steel rods and wire netting. Opened in 1969.

TREE HOUSE:
Designed and built around 2 walnut trees by staff of the Hastings City Council Parks Department. Opened in December 1969. Construction – tanalised fence posts.

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BOATS AND CANOES:
Original boats and canoes donated by the Legal Fraternity of Hastings. Boats and canoes replaced in 1987.

SEATS:
Donated by the Accountants Society.

EARTHWORK FOR LAKE AND RAILWAY EMBANKMENTS:
Most of the work was done volunatrily [voluntarily] by J. Fraser & Sons, contractors. –

WATER SUPPLY FOR LAKE:
Water is from 2 x 4″ artesian wells – sunk at a discount on normal price by Mr V.F. Boag, one of which runs through three circular paddling pools designed and built by the Hastings City Council Parks & Reserves staff – cost of pools donated by Eastern & Central Savings Bank.

PUMPKIN:
Designed and built by H.C.C. Parks & Reserves staff. Opened in 1970. Built of pipe frame covered with netting and concrete.

NODDYTOWN:
Houses built by local builders organised by Hastings Jaycees, who gave finance and voluntary labour for layout. Landscaping by Parks & Reserves staff. Opened in August 1971.

PUTTING GREEN No. 1:
Built and landscaped by Parks & Reserves staff. Finance from Fletcher Steel. Built in 1974.

PUTTING GREEN No. 2:
Added in 1982. Constructed by H.C.C. Parks & Reserves staff.

ROCKET:
Money for construction donated by Wattie’s Industries. Rock work and landscaping by Parks & Reserves staff. Slide donated by Bay Bright. Opened in 1975.

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MERRY-GO-ROUND:   (Noddy Town)
Donated by Hastings Moteliers Association in April 1976.

MERRY-GO-ROUND: (Railway Station)
Brought second hand in December 1988.

PIRATE SHIP:
Designed and built by Parks & Reserves staff in 1977/78. $14,000 raised by gala organised by the Mayor & Mayoress of Hastings, Mr and Mrs J.J. O’Connor. Construction of timber with Hardie Panel. Masts of tanalised, and fibreglass power poles. Length 19.5m x 6m wide.

SCENTED GARDEN:
Sponsored by Hastings Social Club for the Blind. Donations and plants received from local organsiations [organisations] and individuals. The balance of finance supplied by the Hastings City Council. Designed and built in 1976/77 by Parks & Reserves staff.

Scented garden now looked after by the Herb Society.

OVERHEAD BRIDGE:
Built in December 1976 by voluntary labour organised by Linnell Builders. All materials donated by local firms.

AMENITIES BLOCK & ENTRANCE:
Designed and financed by Hastings City Council and built in 1978/79 by Parks & Reserves staff. Cost $30,000.

RAILWAY STATION:
Designed and financed by Hastings City Council and built in 1979 by local contractor. Cost $20,000.

FLYING FOX:
Sponsored by the Stortford Lions Club. Built by Parks & Reserves staff in 1982. Vic and Ida Boag have donated wire ropes and some other materials for the construction.

WATERFALL:
Designed and built by Parks & Reserves staff in 1981. Driven by a 40 H.P. electric motor and pump. Pirate feature to be built in the rear when possible.

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DELTA WING SLIDE:
Steel frame covered with plywood and fibreglass. Designed and built by Parks & Reserves staff in 1981.

KIDDI KARTS:
200 metre track able to accommodate 10 karts laid in 1982. Original Karts powered by Yamaha QT motors. Mark II Karts built by Parks & Recreation staff in 1982, powered by Honda motors. Upgraded 1994.

RADIO BOATS:
Pond converted from sand pit in 1983. Financed by the Hastings City Council. Concrete and fencing done by Parks & Recreation staff. Upgraded 1993

MAZE:
Financed by the Hastings Rotary Club as part of the Club’s contributions towards the City of Hastings Centenary Celebrations. Construction was carried out by Work Skill Development trainees under the direction of Parks & Recreation Department staff. Donated in 1984.

Moved to new site 1995

BUMPER BOATS:
A 750sq. M. concrete pool was constructed between the skating rink and the railway station by Work Skills trainees and P.E.P. trainees with H.C.C. Parks & Recreation staff overseeing the work.

10 bumper boats were purchased. Pool and landscaping designed & built by Parks staff.

PADDLE STEAMER:
A 10m x 4m double-decked paddle steamer gives rides in the Windsor creek between the Fantasyland car park and camping ground. Financed by Hastings Rotary Club by way of a sponsored golf tournament and a Fantasyland Gala. Designed and built by H.C.C Parks & Recreation staff. Built 1985. Lister diesel motor.

The creek was widened and deepened to take the paddle steamer.

ANIMAL WAGON:
Built by H.C.C. Parks & Recreation staff using two monkey carriages from the train prior to new carriages being built. 1988.

RABBIT FEATURE:
Purchased in 1988 and installed on present site in August 1989 by H.C.C. Parks & Recreation staff.

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ELECTRIC CARS & BIKES:
Purchased second hand in December 1988. A total of 6 bikes and 2 cars. These were run on a temporary track until a new track was constructed in 1989 using Restart trainees under the direction of H.C.C. Parks and Recreation staff.

WINDSOR LODGE TEAROOMS, TAKEAWAYS, & CRAFT SHOP:
This building was completed in 1984/85. Constructed by Mackersey Builders.

OTHER CONTRIBUTIONS:
Have included the absorbing of a number of other extra costs by firms associated with various construction projects and help given by a number of local firms and private individuals.

The continuing development of Fantasyland has been achieved with the help of Labour Department subsidised work schemes and has been a major contributor of constructive employment for the Department’s Work Skill Development programmes.

FUTURE POLICY:
The H.C.C. wish to see Fantasyland continue to develop and will encourage service groups and other organisations to contribute features by assisting in labour for construction, landscaping on completion and any other help which may be necessary. The park environment will be maintained by further development of gardens and planting of shrubs and trees, as playground equipment or features are added.

Fantasyland is a continuing project by the citizens of Hastings for the enjoyment of everyone and the recreation area for all ages.