254 Ponsonby Road progress – Community-Led Design Project
It is with growing excitement that we see one of our key Waitematā Local Board projects moving ahead, 254 Ponsonby Road civic park development. It’s great to see we’ve finally got movement on the ground and progression to the preliminary design. This will be coming to the Waitematā Local Board’s Business Meeting later this year! Then it’s shovels in the ground.
A little bit of history…
In the year 2000, the Auckland City Council had identified the Ponsonby area as "being in need of more public open space" (according to a study completed by Boffa-Miskell). The aim of the study was to examine the existing open space network and make recommendations regarding ways in which this network should be extended and/or upgraded. The study area has had a long and varied history which is reflected in its current rich and diverse built character. As residential development in the area grew, Ponsonby became Auckland’s third suburb, after Parnell and Grafton.
As times changed, so too did the residential mix of Ponsonby, which resulted in a change in the retail mix along the commercial strip of Ponsonby Road and Jervois Road. This change continues today. However, it still has its distinct character which we have all grown to know and love.
Public open space is critical infrastructure for people, communities and for health and wellbeing. It is a way for people to come together and connect with each other. It can provide visual relief to the built environment, improve pedestrian connections and contribute to streetscape amenity. These are places that support human interaction and are critical civic infrastructure for our communities. The recommendation was that there was a shortfall and a need for additional open space in the area.
In 2006, the site at 254 Ponsonby Road was purchased to address this shortfall. In 2013, the Draft Ponsonby Road Master Plan (DPRMP) included the site and a significant amount of feedback pertaining to it was received. As a result of this feedback the site was decoupled from the DPRMP and a separate submission process was undertaken in 2014. This resulted in almost 700 submissions with the majority choosing a whole of site option.
In May 2015 the Community-Led Design initiative was instigated. The brief, to deliver a design and budget for the whole of the site park – from which a design was chosen.
Fast forward to 2023, 23 years from its inception and 17 years from the time of purchase, the lead design contract has been awarded to LandLAB, a design and landscape architecture firm.
Progress had been put off for long enough. There needed to be some action and we have heard loud and clear that the community was eager to see the inertia lifted.
One of the most important benefits of urban parks and civic spaces is the opportunity to learn about nature and social cohesion. City parks matter, they play a vital role in the social, economic and physical wellbeing of our people and our communities.
Let’s make 254 Ponsonby Road a wonderful and vibrant space to enhance opportunities for people to connect. In a world where we’re all so busy, we need the space to sit and sometimes just watch the world go by. I know I sure do! (GEN SAGE)
E: genevieve.sage@aucklandcouncil.govt.nz
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Published: September 2023