Recreation for all at your local 'precinct'

By Dean Austen

AUCKLAND - The race is on to ensure future Aucklanders are only ever a boule throw away from a local petanque terrain, tennis court, swimming pool or playground.

A network of 20 recreation "precincts" scattered across the Auckland isthmus is planned to meet the needs of the city's growing population.

The aim is to cluster recreation facilities in precincts, providing focal points for communities.

It is hoped the network, based around existing parks and green spaces such as Okahu Bay, the Auckland Domain, Victoria Park and Three Kings Reserve, could be in place within six years - when the region's population should have swelled by about 100,000.

The recreation zones will be developed close to areas where planners aim to concentrate the city's growth.

The Auckland City Council plan is in line with other councils in the metropolis, as they struggle with burgeoning growth and increased pressure on resources.

It comes as the Auckland Regional Council develops an "acquisitions" policy to secure up to 5000ha of additional parkland over the next 20 years. The plan gives priority to purchases near the most populated areas.

Auckland City's plan divides the city into 20 precincts, each with a park of at least 5ha in size, at its hub. It divides the precincts into city-wide facilities aimed at all Aucklanders, and local ones to be used mainly by nearby residents.

Around them, facilities such as recreation centres, libraries, swimming pools, playgrounds, sports fields, picnic and barbecue areas, community centres and walking tracks will be grouped.

The council hopes to build on facilities already in place.

The Mt Albert War Memorial Reserve, Grey Lynn Park and the Panmure Basin have been identified as priorities.

The Blockhouse Bay Reserve is the closest present example of what the council predicts a recreation precinct will look like. It has sports fields, tennis courts, bowling and karate clubs, playgrounds, barbecue facilities, walking paths and a petanque terrain.

The Waitakere City Council has been addressing the issue of planned recreation spaces for the past five years as part of its urban village strategy.

Realising the need to concentrate growth around transport hubs, urban village developments in New Lynn, Glen Eden, Titirangi and Henderson have all incorporated community recreation areas.

The North Shore City Council has developed an open space strategy looking at ways to meet future recreation needs. Similar issues are being addressed by Manukau City Council with its parks strategy.