Barry Curtis Park
Encyclopedia
Barry Curtis Park is a new park named after Barry Curtis
in Flat Bush
, Manukau City of which the first stage was opened in April 2009. At 94 hectares, it is one of New Zealand's largest parks, of a size as has not been established since the Auckland Domain
in the 1840s.
The park is currently (2010) only half-completed, with an investment of $17 million (as of 2009) having gone in the sections that are already open or are still being formed and landscaped. Completion is expected around 2022, while the new suburb grows around it. The park was created from a part of a large parcel of dairy farming land the Manukau City Council bought from the Anglican Church Trust Board, at $2.9 million for 290 hectares total.
The park is the central piece of a 'Green fingers' network of parks that is being established (mostly aligned along around 45 km of streams and creeks draining the Flat Bush catchment). The ecological system involved consultation with groups such as Forest & Bird
and the Auckland Regional Council
. The water systems also work as stormwater ponds, and have been fitted with fish ladders to ensure connected water habitats.
The park (in the already established section) also includes event spaces and large playgrounds for children, with a multi-sports centre, playing fields to be added in the future. The park is to establish a network of educational trails in addition to the main routes.
The park received the 'Outstanding Award' of the New Zealand Recreation Association Awards, as well as three awards from the New Zealand Institute of Landscape Architects (Gold: Barry Curtis Park Wetland Playground (at Stancombe Road), Silver: Barry Curtis Park Signature Areas design, Silver: Barry Curtis Park Project Management).
Barry Curtis
Sir Barry Curtis was the Mayor of Manukau from 1983 until 2007. When he announced his intention to retire in 2007, he was New Zealand's longest serving mayor at that time.-Career:...
in Flat Bush
Flat Bush
Flat Bush is a developing suburb of Auckland, New Zealand. Located near Manukau Heights, it is governed by the Auckland Council, which has planned for the area to undergo substantial development since buying 290 hectares there in 1996...
, Manukau City of which the first stage was opened in April 2009. At 94 hectares, it is one of New Zealand's largest parks, of a size as has not been established since the Auckland Domain
Auckland Domain
The Auckland Domain is Auckland's oldest park, and at 75 hectares one of the largest in the city. Located in the central suburb of Grafton, the park contains all of the explosion crater and most of the surrounding tuff ring of the Pukekawa volcano....
in the 1840s.
The park is currently (2010) only half-completed, with an investment of $17 million (as of 2009) having gone in the sections that are already open or are still being formed and landscaped. Completion is expected around 2022, while the new suburb grows around it. The park was created from a part of a large parcel of dairy farming land the Manukau City Council bought from the Anglican Church Trust Board, at $2.9 million for 290 hectares total.
The park is the central piece of a 'Green fingers' network of parks that is being established (mostly aligned along around 45 km of streams and creeks draining the Flat Bush catchment). The ecological system involved consultation with groups such as Forest & Bird
Royal Forest and Bird Protection Society of New Zealand
The Royal Forest and Bird Protection Society of New Zealand Inc. is an environmental organisation specialising in conservation of indigenous plant and animal life in and around New Zealand....
and the Auckland Regional Council
Auckland Regional Council
The Auckland Regional Council was the regional council of the Auckland Region. Its predecessor the Auckland Regional Authority was formed in 1963 and became the ARC in 1989...
. The water systems also work as stormwater ponds, and have been fitted with fish ladders to ensure connected water habitats.
The park (in the already established section) also includes event spaces and large playgrounds for children, with a multi-sports centre, playing fields to be added in the future. The park is to establish a network of educational trails in addition to the main routes.
The park received the 'Outstanding Award' of the New Zealand Recreation Association Awards, as well as three awards from the New Zealand Institute of Landscape Architects (Gold: Barry Curtis Park Wetland Playground (at Stancombe Road), Silver: Barry Curtis Park Signature Areas design, Silver: Barry Curtis Park Project Management).
External links
- Barry Curtis Park (Manukau City Council webpage)