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It was a blustery autumn day when I headed down to Green Road Park on Dairy Flat to check out one of Auckland’s newest reserves with my housemate while her daughter went riding with friends.
The park has been under development for several years and I’ve watched its progress as I drive past the entrance on Green Road. It’s becoming increasingly popular with horse riders and walkers, and is also home to the Silverdale Pony Club, which recently renewed its lease on the site and is currently upgrading its facilities.
The North Shore Model Aero Club also has its home base at the park but there is plenty of room for everyone across the 154 hectares.
The Green Road entrance has two large gravel carparks, one with generous provision for horse floats, and once the riders were underway, we headed off with our dog on leash to explore the trails.
A sign at the entrance shows the colour-coded tracks and distance, and well as areas not yet open to the public.
It’s clear a lot of work has been done as the trails are in great condition and planting across the park is well underway. The Friends of Green Road Reserve meet on the first Sunday of the month for weed clearing and planting bees. You can email them at green.road.park.supsociety@gmail.com if you want to be kept updated about their events.
Another entrance was also built for pedestrians on the Sunnyside Road side in Coatesville, and the park is proving a great alternative for walkers to the section of the nearby Riverhead forest, that was recently harvested.
After a good hour’s ramble, along trails and over the Rangitopuni Stream, we had barely touched the sides of the area and I’m sure we’ll be back as soon as all this stormy weather dies down. Once the planting takes hold and develops, Green Road will be an incredible asset for the area so make sure to get out and explore it.
