Rachel's Story
The Barrington Playground
Christchurch’s often fickle weather plays a big role in dictating the day’s entertainment for Rachel McFedries and her three children - aged four-years, two-years and under six-months.
Just a short walk from their home, Barrington Playground has become a favourite for the McFedries family on a clear day. With the youngest still in a buggy, Rachel loves how close the playground is to the street. “I don’t have to navigate any difficult terrain to get there. The playground is nice and flat too, so it’s easy to manoeuvre the buggy once we’re there.”
If Rachel does need to drive, there are always plenty of parks on the playground side, so there is no need to push her buggy across a busy street.
The safety of her children is always top of mind for Rachel and Barrington Playground always makes her feel at ease. “The playground has ramps, making it easily accessible for the young ones. There’s also lots of seating in the shade, so I can easily keep an eye on what the kids are up to.”
f it’s cold or wet, the McFedries head to the Airforce Museum. With a huge carpark, Rachel can always find a parking space close to the entrance. The entrance has sliding doors and a massive foyer, so there are no barriers to getting the children and the buggy inside. There is plenty of space around the exhibits too, so Rachel never feels like she, or the children, are likely to knock anything over. Rachel says that there is an also an upstairs feeding area, accessible by lift, which is big enough for the older children, as well as her and the baby.
With free entry* and free parking, the Airforce Museum also offers a financially accessible form of entertainment for Rachel and her children. “Taking the kids out can get very expensive very quickly. So, being able to go to a world-class facility like the Airforce Museum for free is great.”
* Entry to the Museum is free - but donations are always appreciated!
The Air Force Museum is open every day (except Christmas Day, 25 December) from 10.00am until 5.00pm.