Work to improve Sunnynook Park on the North Shore has reached an important milestone, with earthworks started in October last year now completed.
The earthworks phase, delivered by Auckland Council’s Healthy Waters team, has significantly increased floodwater storage capacity at the park, which will help to reduce the number and severity of future flooding events in the area.
Work at the park so far includes stormwater improvements, construction of shared paths, new park seating, new exercise equipment and a new playground. The floodwall on Sycamore Drive has also been upgraded, along with the debris screen at the culvert inlet.
Over the coming spring months, the council’s community facilities team will undertake work to renew and improve the park’s sports fields. New sand-carpet sports fields will be installed, along with new floodlights, goal posts and cricket blocks.
At the request of local residents, improvements to the footpath along the northeastern border of the park will also be undertaken. The project team will have this completed by the end of this year.
Councillor Chris Darby says Sunnynook is one of the shore’s best-kept secrets. “Sunnynook is now a thriving community, transformed through its access to the Northern Busway and, shortly, much-improved sports and recreational facilities.
“One of the building blocks of a great community is having great parks and open spaces. Our $9 million investment in Sunnynook Park will deliver vastly improved drainage, sports fields and facilities - making this park more usable for more people, more often,” he says.
Devonport-Takapuna Local Board Chair George Wood says he appreciates the patience shown by local residents.
“The earthworks were disruptive, so we thank everyone for their patience," he says.
“The good news is that the worst part is over and we’re now heading into the final exciting phase of the project."
Works at the park are scheduled to be completed in April 2019.
