A group from Onehunga Playcentre explore Cornwall Park where farming activities still play a key role. Photo / Natalie Slade
A group from Onehunga Playcentre explore Cornwall Park where farming activities still play a key role. Photo / Natalie Slade
Auckland's Cornwall Park has been awarded a Certificate of Excellence for 2015 by TripAdvisor, the world's largest travel site, gaining a premium 4.5 star rating (out of five).
The park also rates as number nine out of 191 things to do in Auckland by TripAdvisor.
The Certificate of Excellenceis awarded only to venues who constantly achieve outstanding traveller reviews on TripAdvisor, a global travel online community which has over 70 million members.
Michael Ayrton, Park Director, says the award is great recognition of one of New Zealand's top leisure/recreation destinations, which now attracts over four million visitors a year.
"The park offers something for everyone, with trees, animals, cafes, playgrounds, BBQ facilities and just a great place to enjoy nature. It's a great oasis in a busy city that Aucklanders are very proud of. We're thrilled to receive this award and to get further confirmation that it is not only valued by Aucklanders but by people all over the world."
The award follows on from the rankings Cornwall Park gained from TripAdvisor in 2014, placing it the first amongst New Zealand parks and the sixth in Australasia.
Mr Ayrton says Auckland could also be proud that the park, which is run by a private Trust and gifted to the city, has continued to delight visitors for over 100 years.
"Cornwall Park was gifted to Auckland city by Sir John Logan Campbell in 1901. It is run entirely from its own sources of income, meaning Aucklanders don't pay any rates or taxes towards it. It is a gift from the father of Auckland City for all to enjoy."
Independent surveys on park users commissioned by the Cornwall Park Trust Board show just how fully visitors enjoy Sir John's gift to New Zealand. In 2013, the park received a 99% approval rating, versus a national average of 88% for public parks.
With the Cornwall Park Café recently opened and the Cornwall Park Bistro to open later in this year, Mr Ayrton says there are plenty more reasons to keep the park as a top destination.
