Chair of the NSCC Community Services and Parks Committee, Tony Holman, has announced that a new slice of coastal land in Bayswater has been added to  City’s public parks network.

NSCC has recently purchased 2 Sir Peter Blake Parade, located at the historic reclamation at O’Neills Point.

The 1113 square metres of land includes a dilapidated residential building, which will be removed to open the way for more public open space.
Chair of the Community Services and Parks Committee, Tony Holman says the
$1.28 million investment is part of a strategy to take opportunities as they arise to expand reserve networks along the coastline and significant bodies of water.

“Publicly accessible open space is something New Zealanders hold very dear and providing more parks for North Shore residents where possible is a particular priority of this committee,” says Cnclr Holman.

North Shore City Council Parks Policy and Planning Manager, Terry Baxter says the purchase also responds to significant growth in marine recreation for the city over recent years, and trends towards increased pressure on space and services at coastal environments in the city.

The property is situated at the entranceway and eastern side of the reclamations at Bayswater Marina – a distinctive marine recreation setting due to the diversity of marine services and user-groups clustered in close proximity to one another.

Councillor Holman says now that the land is in public ownership it creates a rare opportunity for spectators and other recreationalists to access and enjoy the marine environment – including ferries, marine berths, a public boat ramp and boat clubs.

“There is no other council-owned parkland in the main Bayswater reclamations so I anticipate this is going to be an asset well appreciated by locals and visitors for many years to come.”