A green oasis is being created at the junction of Symonds Street, New North Road and Mt Eden Road by central Auckland residents.
The land at 257 Symonds Street was purchased by Auckland Transport for its underground City Rail Link (CRL) station at Newton. This plan was later revised in favour of redeveloping the Mt Eden Station.
The CRL’s place-making manager, Nazla Carmine, saw the site as an ideal opportunity to create a much-needed pocket park in a highly urbanised area.
Multi-purpose community space
Auckland Transport and local residents – many of whom are apartment dwellers – are developing plans for the Junction Pocket Park to include beehives, a composting system, vegetable and herb gardens as well as a quiet place to sit and enjoy the views.
“We are looking for a sponsor to get a robust composting system in place, able to compost waste from surrounding restaurants and apartment dwellers,” says Waitematā Local Board member Rob Thomas.
“Once that’s underway we plan to grow vegetables and herbs for a nearby food bank, as well as locals’ use.”
Secret garden retreat
Local Sean Taylor says there’s a heap of enthusiasm for the multipurpose space.
“We want this space to be driven by those in the area with what they would like, from providing a place where you can learn about gardening, cooking and composting, to being a place you can relax and escape the business of inner-city living, a ‘secret garden’ of their own.”
