Sports parks get attention in Orakei Local Board plan

Orakei Local Board will sign off its first Local Board plan this week having received more than 2,500 submissions on it.

Orakei’s plan attracted a third of the total number of submissions received by all 21 Auckland local boards.

Key changes have been made to the plan as a result of these submissions, including the upgrading of sportsfields, creating an economic development strategy, and strengthening heritage protection.

Sportsfields were the biggest issue the board heard about during the submissions’ process.

Around 2,200 submissions addressed the condition of sportsfields, how to deal with the increasing demand for sports clubs, as well as those who use the parks for informal recreation such as walking, dog exercise and events.

With growth in club numbers and sports field demand exceeding supply across the city, the Orakei Local Board is committed to improving the parks’ capacity and addressing drainage issues, which has affected sports parks during recent winters.

Madills Farm, Crossfield Reserve and Glover Park, in particular, will be addressed through a master plan process with urgent priority being placed on sand carpeting and drainage.

Artificial surfaces and use by high performance sports will also be considered in the development of Ngahue Reserve and Liston Park, both of which were the subject of huge numbers of submissions.

Orakei Local Board Chair Desley Simpson says that any agreed developments at these two parks must include a significant community use component.

“We want to ensure residents are fully and actively involved in decisions on local sportsfields.”

Local business associations and business improvement districts want more done to encourage growth and visitors to the area. An economic development strategy will be put in place, along with a development plan for the Lunn Ave business zone.

All Local Board plans will feed into Auckland Council’s region-wide policies and plans such as the Auckland Plan and Long-term Plan 2012-2022.

The Orakei Local Board plan will be available to the public by the end of November. It can be viewed online, at the board office in Meadowbank Mall, your local library or any Auckland Council service centre.