Park, walk, respect

Like moths to a flame, trouble is drawn to an unsecured carpark at night, say Howick locals. Rowena Orejana listens to their concerns.

At the top of quiet Hayley Lane in Howick is a small patch of flat land overlooking Point View Reserve. A few metres away, the road dips steeply.
This patch is a key piece of the concept plan for the extension of the Mangemangeroa walkway through to the reserve. It will be turned into a carpark that is expected to be popular with people going to the reserve for walks.
This proposal is welcomed and viewed with some consternation by residents of the area.
"Our concern is not with the behaviour of the walkers, but with the behaviour of those people who will be able to occupy the parking area late in the evenings," says Peter Beck, who's lived on Point View Drive for 36 years.
Leah Fanstone, who lives closer to the proposed carpark, says it is a matter of security: "It just gives people a new venue to park up at night. Point View Drive is notorious for night-time activity, particularly along the road."
Mr Beck notes the park entrance at Somerville Rd is locked at night as is the one on Point View Drive. "The least they can do is make some provision for security."
He also notes the intersection of Hayley Lane and Point View Drive is hazardous.
Mrs Fanstone says people tend to drive quite fast because it is a semi-rural road.
"Residents here are quite aware of it. They take extra care when they pull out. People who are just here on a casual walk might not be quite so careful," she points out.
Kevin Kingston, acting Manukau parks manager, says he has presented three options for the carpark to the Howick Community Board. "It is important to note that the board has made its decision and that the conceptual carpark has been approved in principle," he says, adding that the project will now be taken to the next stage which is its design.
"We are trying to come up with a good solution, a middle ground that will be acceptable to all. I understand that they are concerned and that they want it locked. But early indications are it is not possible," he says.
Mrs Fanstone does not believe that. "There is enough room to put a secure carpark here. It's not like they are going to have to employ somebody new to come and lock the gate," she says.
The residents stress they welcome the extension of the walkway as well as the carpark. They just want to be assured their privacy will be respected.
"Enjoying the natural environment and exercising is the reason for the project, not the provision of handy carparks," says Mr Beck.
Mrs Fanstone says neighbours recognise the necessity. "If you don't have a carpark, you'll have people parking all over the place. It's a necessary evil, but they just have to do it right."
Walk on
The walkway extension will be finished by summer says Kevin Kingston. It will enhance the existing walkway and provide access to Point View Drive, Kilkenny Drive Reserve and Logan Carr Reserve. It will consist of bush tracks and boardwalks, similar to those on the existing walkway.
Mangemangeroa means valley of the "mangemange", a twisting, climbing fern used by Maori to tie raupo thatch to manuka-framed whare (huts) and for making hinaki (eel traps).