Investing in Puketapapa’s parks

6 December, 2014 | News, Our Projects, Parks, Puketapapa Local Board, Puketapapa Local Board

Michael with Phil Goff and local residents at the opening of the new Keith Hay Park improvements

Michael Wood with Hon Phil Goff and local residents at the opening of the new Keith Hay Park improvements

The Roskill Community Voice team has had a clear mission to turn around years of neglect in Puketapapa/Mt Roskill. Nowhere was this more evident than in our parks and open spaces. Last year ten playgrounds had to be partially closed down due to age and safety concerns, and the historic Lovelock Track at War Memorial park had been rendered un-usable after decades of inadequate maintenance.

 Over the past four years we have fought for a fair share of resources, and then worked with the community to plan for park improvements that meet local needs. With a lot of hard work real progress is now been made:
  • A major upgrade of Keith Hay Park is now complete, featuring safe pedestrian and cycle access through the carpark area, rain gardens, an expanded carpark to cater for demand, native planting, and an hugely popular new playground.
  • Four new playgrounds have recently been completed, with another two toe be delivered within the next few months.
  • New park Concept plans for Fearon Park/Harold Long Reserve, and Turner & Freeland Reserves have been developed with the community, with works about to start on both
  • Members of the Puketapapa Local Board with Cr Cathy Casey at the Lovelock Track re-opening

    Members of the Puketapapa Local Board with Cr Cathy Casey at the Lovelock Track re-opening

    An $800,000 upgrade of the historic Lovelock track where Arthur Lydiard, Peter Snell, Murray Halberg, and Bill Bailey used to train and race is now complete. The track was re-opened in late November.

  •  As part of the Puketapapa Greenways Network, a new shared walk/cycleway was opened up through Lynfield Reserve earlier this year, with a further extension funded for works in early 2015.
In addition to this, the Board has just signed off on a major package of walk/cycle links that will continue to build on the Greenways network, linking our parks, schools, and community facilities and providing people with real transport choices. Over the next few years will also review Concept Plans at Monte Cecilia Park and Arthur Faulkner Reserve. The work goes on!
Michael Wood, Puketapapa Local Board member