Hayley Hannan uncovers plans to revive a neglected war memorial in the heart of Titirangi Village.
Veering off Titirangi Rd opposite Lopdell House is an unmarked path leading up a hill. Overgrown trees crowd the concrete and block a wide view out to Manukau Harbour. The seemingly ordinary path is actually a forgotten piece of Titirangi history - the Soldiers' Memorial Walkway honouring the servicemen of World War 1.
Thelma and Wallis Burrow have lived in the area for more than 60 years and are pleased to hear the walkway will be spruced up and reopened to delight visitors.
"To be quite honest, there would not be many people who would know about it," says Wallis. "I'm all for progress and a bit of a tidy-up."
The concrete path is a fondly remembered and previously well-used part of Titirangi. Thelma moved to Titirangi in 1931 and has used the path throughout her life. As a girl, she walked the path to school and to climb to the top of the hill for parties. For Bill, the path led the way to his first Titirangi Anzac service in 1947 after he returned from World War II.
Now, the council will cut back overgrown trees and bushes to open up a sea view. Plans for a $7000 grant from Waitakere Community Board suggest installing two signs and interpretative works pointing out the walkway and its history.
Matt McMillan says the path is an important memorial to those who fought in the first World War.
"It just means that people will actually stop and walk up there for a look. The public and the Titirangi people need to know that it was given to the RSA," explains the lifetime member of Titirangi RSA. "Once it's all cleaned and tidied up and seats put up there, more people will find out and use it. You can virtually see out to the [Manukau] Heads."
Waitakere Community Board chair, Kubi Witten-Hanna, supports the idea of reinvigorating it. "In the olden days when I was a boy, it was the pathway from Titirangi shops area to the school and the church. In those days it was maintained because it was an important accessway," he says.
He says the path lost popularity when additional pavements were put in around the base of the hill, but future improvements should make the walkway a community fixture again.
"It's a little park that has some significance for me. [The board has] got so little money and ... this is one small project to make a real difference."
Way back from war
The Soldiers' Memorial Walkway starts on Titirangi Rd and weaves uphill behind the road.
People stopped using the footpath once a memorial cenotaph was moved and a new
footpath was built around the base of the hill 30 years ago, says Trevor Pollard, president of West Auckland Historical Society.
Path of honour
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