Access to the Ashburton Domain children’s playground and nearby carpark will be restricted next week when arborists take down two poplar trees.

The trees are scheduled to be removed on Thursday 15 September and Friday 16 September and the area will then be replanted and extra picnic tables installed.

The poplars are between the playground and the access road, and the area will be closed to cars while the arborists work. The operating area will be roped off and under supervision, but walkers can still access all other parts of the domain and car parking is available on Walnut Avenue.

Community Services Group Manager Steve Fabish said poplars were known to cause problems when they reached old age.

“While these two trees are still relatively young, long term they really are the wrong tree in the wrong place. Removing them now will make way for us to plant trees that are better for shade.

“It also provides an opportunity to make that side of the playground more connected and accessible to the whole site, as noted in a recent report.”