Parks, arts and community prioritised by Waitematā Local Board
Parks, places, arts and community have been prioritised by Waitematā Local Board for 2019/20.
The local board has approved its work programme for the year ahead which builds on planning and work undertaken throughout 2018/19.
Chairperson Pippa Coom says there is a number of projects and initiatives in the pipeline, many of which have been planned over a long period.
Parks, places and playgrounds
Highlights for the year ahead include work starting on new changing rooms at Grey Lynn Park, new playgrounds at Home and Outhwaite Reserves, improvements to Parnell’s Heard Park and development of pathways at Basque Park.
The Hobson Bay walkway from Thomas Bloodworth Reserve to Pt Resolution will also be renewed to improve accessibility.
The local board’s One Local Initiative project, Ponsonby Park, remains the major capital project. Scope of works will be developed and reviewed by the local board for a civic park space at 254 Ponsonby Road.
Māori naming of parks and places (Te Kete Rukuruku) is also a significant feature in the local board’s 2019/20 work programme. Te Kete Rukuruku will be undertaken in partnership with mana whenua to value and promote Auckland’s Māori identity and use of te reo Māori.
Arts and community
Ms Coom says the local board will increase funding in 2019/20 for their arts partnership with TAPAC in acknowledgement of their performing arts leadership. Funding will jump from $20,000 to $85,000 to reflect this.
In addition, a new initiative will see funding for a community arts space broker role, connecting artists and creatives with landlords of vacant spaces as well as supporting industry leaders offering mentorship programmes.
Community events continue to be a focus for the local board with $83,000 allocated to an Events Partnership Fund supporting popular local events like Festival Italiano, West End Cup and Grey Lynn Park Festival.
Larger scale signature events, Parnell Festival of Roses and Myers Park Medley, which draw crowds of thousands, will also be supported to run again.
Local community groups will continue to be funded through a contestable community grants process which fosters partnership and collaboration between the local board and it’s communities.
“Our local board looks forward to the year ahead and continuing to provide outcomes that benefit our communities,” said Ms Coom.