In March 2016 the Waitematā Local Board embarked on a Community-led design (CLD) process to establish Ponsonby Park, the new civic space at 254 Ponsonby Road.
They did so to ensure the creation of an urban space that matched the needs of local residents, visitors and businesses. The volunteer CLD group has now been working for over 5 years to achieve this goal.
The CLD process has been hugely successful and resulted in the international award winning* LandLAB, Park+ design. Thank you LandLAB.
The design (whose concept images feature on this page) includes;
• The Park (a grassed lawn and gardens, 1410 m2)
• The Pavilion (outdoor sheltered area, 222 m2)
• The Plaza and lane (outdoor paved area, 807 m2)
• O’Neill Street upgrade (734 m2)
• New building (190 m2)
• Public toilet block (60 m2)
• Refurbished lighthouse (1st floor feature, 120 m2)
The significant and sustained engagement by the community is a major contributor to the success of the CLD process as “planning for people must be planning with people”.
The engagement included;
• 1243 signed the initial petition for a ‘whole of site’ open space development
• 698 responses to the Waitemata Local Board’s initial 254 Ponsonby Road consultation
• 190 respondents to the 1st CLD consultation
• 115 respondents to the 2nd CLD consultation
• 1208 respondents to the 3rd and final CLD consultation
Recently Auckland Council held their 10-year Emergency Budget 2021-2031 consultation, that closed on 22 March 2021 **. Council is now reviewing the feedback received throughout April and May. They (the governing body) will then adopt the final budget in June 2021. This consultation will provide further guidance so we are looking forward to the results and will keep you informed of developments.
In a world where social connectedness is increasingly important and relevant, Ponsonby Park is precisely the infrastructure and amenity our community has shown they want and need. It will be the common ground and community hub that enables everyone to gather together, rest, relax and recreate - a place to meet new people or catch up with old friends or to simply spend some time to chill and take a moment. These are the very things that build and nurture community.
Ponsonby Park – Bring It On! (JENNIFER WARD)
www.254ponsonbyrd.org.nz
*In November 2018 LandLAB’s Park+ design won the international ‘World Architecture News – Future Civic category’ award. It was also shortlisted at the prestigious ‘World Architecture Festival’ in the ‘Future Civic’ category.
**See page 66, for the Key advocacy initiatives of the Waitemat-a Local Board
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