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As C continues to make progress on the fields at Metro Park East in Millwater, attention is beginning to turn to the plans for the other big park in that subdivision, Metro Park West.
In Metro Park East, once the Hibiscus & Bays Local Board has given its approval, the layout and design of cricket blocks, athletics infrastructure, sports field lighting, landscaping and pathways will be finalised and a work programme commenced.
The local board is also working with Council staff on the planning and design for Metro Park West, with work expected to begin there in the 2016/17 financial year.
The process will include reviewing and updating the Masterplan for the park, put in place by the former Rodney District Council and last updated in 2010.
The 14.7ha site forms a natural amphitheatre, which lends itself to large spectator events, with grass embankments overlooking a central area. To maximise this potential, the park’s management plan suggests that a sports field and hard stands for temporary stages could be constructed on the amphitheatre floor.
Informal activities suggested for the park include sports games, bike riding, jogging and picnics. There is room for significant plantings of large trees on the upper slopes.
The management plan also indicates that parking may be one of the issues to be ironed out; it states on the one hand that Metro Park West is well suited to large outdoor events, but also that parking will be limited to the streets around the park and a single small carpark. “Walking and public transport will be encouraged for large scale events,” the plan says.
Other issues to work around as time goes on include the effects of flood lighting and noise on the growing Millwater community.
Council staff will provide recommendations and planning advice to the Hibiscus and Bays Local Board this financial year so that it can prioritise the development of Metro Park West next financial year.
