Tōtara Park has joined an elite list of Auckland parks, being recognised as one of the world’s best green spaces in the annual Green Flag Awards.
The Green Flag Award scheme is an international quality mark for parks and green spaces that assesses parks on criteria such as quality of services, safety, maintenance, community involvement and sustainability.
Manurewa Local Board chair Glenn Murphy is delighted with the recognition for a park he says is a “jewel in the crown” for the area.
“Tōtara Park is understandably a very much-loved asset, and one we are proud of. It is 216 hectares of open space with natural areas, bridle trails, bush walking and some incredible mountain biking.
“It’s also home to the Tōtara Park Pools, where generations of Manurewa people have enjoyed a summer splash, and has the added attraction of having the vast Auckland Botanic Gardens as it neighbour.”
Auckland Council parks have consistently been awarded Green Flags since 2016, setting a standard for excellence in public parks and providing quality outdoor spaces across Tāmaki Makaurau.
Auckland Council Parks and Community Facilities general manager Taryn Crewe is pleased Tōtara Park is included in the list of Auckland successes.
“We know the contribution parks make to our well-being, so it’s fantastic to see our green spaces judged as some of the world’s best. Our staff and contractors work hard to create parks for all Aucklanders to enjoy, and Green Flags are a credit to their dedication and enthusiasm.”
Murphy says while the award reflects the fine work Council staff do, it should also be seen as recognition of the excellent work done by volunteers.
“We are fortunate within Manurewa to have groups such as Friends of Tōtara Park and the Tōtara Park Mountain Bike Club doing astonishing amounts of work to maintain and improve the park because they understand how valuable it is the community.”
The prestigious Green Flag award was awarded to 10 Auckland parks.
- Ambury Regional Park (Māngere Bridge)
- Auckland Domain (Grafton)
- Long Bay Regional Park (Long Bay)
- North Shore Memorial Park (Schnapper Rock)
- Parrs Park (Glen Eden)
- Sanders Reserve (Paremoremo)
- Tāwharanui Regional Park (Tāwharanui Peninsula)
- Tōtara Park (Manurewa)
- Walmsley/Underwood Parks (Mount Roskill)
- Waikumete Cemetery (Glen Eden)
