Liberty swing a hit with young Island Bay pioneer

Joshua Pask
2 November 2007

On Sunday 21 October I was lucky enough to be asked to be the first person to use the Liberty Swing, which has been installed at Shorland Park in Island Bay for people like me in wheelchairs.

This means that we can now go to the park and, instead of just sitting and watching our family and friends play, we can now get in there and have heaps of fun too.

I am five years old and have cerebral palsy so it is difficult for me to go to the park and play on the playground equipment. I had such a great time on the new swing and I’m going to get my mum and dad to take me there as often as possible. 

I am in a special unit at school with other children who are also in wheelchairs, so I’ll ask my teachers to take my class out there so they too can have a great swing.

Thank you to the Island Bay Lions and everyone who helped build such a great piece of equipment that allows us to have as much fun at the playground as other children.

The $30,000 to $40,000 liberty swing was opened by Governor-General Anand Satyanand and blessed by St Francis de Sales parish priest, Geoff Broad.