A new skate park inspired by Auckland's volcanic heritage opened in New Windsor over the weekend of 25-26 February. The park is part of the NZ Transport Agency's Waterview Connection project.
The design of the Valonia Street skate park references a lava flow. It starts at its highest point in a ‘crater’ before running through a series of lava-coloured terraces and skateable features such as bowls, banks, quarter pipes and rails.
A half-sized basketball court, also designed with a volcanic theme, has been built next to the skate park.
"It's a fantastic playground," says the Transport Agency's Regional Director for Auckland and Northland, Ernst Zöllner.
"It's a great outcome reflecting just how well big infrastructure projects like the Waterview Connection can work with local communities and leave an iconic legacy for their benefit."
Local board involvement
At an event to mark the opening on Saturday, Mr Zöllner acknowledged the work of Auckland Council's Whau Local Board to get the best outcome for its community.
Whau Local Board Chair Tracy Mulholland says, "I'm thrilled to see the Valonia Reserve skate park completed. It's a great facility for local kids to enjoy. The skate park and the new basketball court provide an incentive for kids to get outside and get active."
"It has been great to see all the different partners working together to create it. A big thanks to all of them; they've done a fantastic job."
Designing the park
The skate park is for intermediate and advanced skateboarders. Its design was completed by the city's skateboarding community, Auckland Council and the Well-Connected Alliance, who are constructing the Waterview Connection.
It was built by ConVic, an Australian firm with a global reputation for developing recreational facilities for youth.
The Waterview Connection project
The skate park and the basketball court are the latest in a series of facilities linked to the Waterview Connection project, which includes new sports fields and changing rooms at the nearby Valonia Reserve and extensions to the Southwestern Shared Path in New Windsor.
The Waterview Connection will link the Southwestern and Northwestern Motorways (State Highways 20 and 16) to complete the Transport Agency's Western Ring Route, and will open in April.
