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A concrete turtle missing from a playground in Nelson turned up in Blenheim, but is now safely home.
Rear: Rocko, Left Front Eligh and Bentley Nicholls ride the Tahunanui Turtles. On vacation in Nelson de Levin.
Photo: Supplied
Council staff noted that the tortoise, which has four legs and could more accurately be described as a tortoise, was not in the playground on Tahunanui beach last week.
They thought it had been relocated or taken away for restoration.
Community Services Manager Roger Ball said they received a call from the Marlborough District Council to tell them that a rebellious turtle had been found in Blenheim’s Pollard Park and wondered if it was from Nelson.
He said whoever took the 100-kilogram tortoise probably did so with some difficulty, but the council was pleased to be able to reunite him with the concrete tortoise family in Tahunanui.
“Oh look, these are much loved parts of the playground in Tahunanui. They are part of a larger set and other playground equipment there,” Ball said.
“They have been there since it was built, I think, in 1963.”
After identifying the turtle in a photograph, a council official made the round trip to retrieve the important part of Nelson’s legacy.
“They have been around for more than 50 years, and we haven’t lost one yet. It weighs 100kg and just made a 117km journey, which is a long way for a tortoise on land, especially one with concrete feet.” Ball said.
“We are relieved to get him back and to know that he has not been held hostage, but we would prefer that people leave them there so the children can enjoy them and we do not want them to be harmed.
“We certainly don’t want to have to drive to Marlborough to bring them back.”
The three turtles.
Photo: RNZ / Tracy Neal
The turtles were part of the original playground in the Tahunanui Reserve when it was built in 1963. The concrete train, whales, turtles, mushrooms, and seals were created by the Nelson Host Lions Club.
Longtime Nelson Lions member Peter Vining said Nelson didn’t have a playground at the time, prompting the club to take it on as a project.
“We were very fortunate to have a member, Heck Valk, who worked with concrete and organized the production of molds for the turtle, the concrete train and the poisonous mushrooms, which were some of the first items that were installed.”
Ball said the playground and its collection of concrete animals remain a popular destination for Nelson’s youth.
“There have been many times when I have talked to adults who said the playground was one of the highlights of their childhood and now they are bringing their grandchildren.”
Ball said he was relieved the turtles had been found, but would prefer that amenities like this stay in Nelson.
