Construction of an architecturally stunning visitor hub in Queen Elizabeth Park is underway.
The $1.6m hub, near the entrance at Mackays Crossing, will comprise a number of features from a meeting room for community groups and other events capable of seating 60 people, to a covered deck area featuring displays of the park's human history and unique natural environment to a new park ranger office.
The hub would provide a real added dimension to visiting the park, Greater Wellington Regional Council parks and recreation portfolio leader Nigel Wilson said.
"We expect it will become the focal point of the park for many people."
Ben Gilpin, from Paraparaumu based Gil-plans Architecture, has worked hard to come up with a design, in consultation with others, including iwi and Archeological New Zealand, which responds to and draws inspiration from the park's rich and diverse history, from its lengthy Maori heritage as well as US Marines occupation during World War Two.