Newmarket Park management plan
Contents |
Introduction |
Statutory framework |
Council framework |
History |
Natural values |
Issues for use and development |
Conclusions |
Management objectives and policies |
Implementation
4.0 History
4.1 Pre-history
As part of the preparation of this management plan an archaeological assessment
report was commissioned. This report is included as an Appendix to this
management plan.
In summary, the archaeological report found that although there is evidence of
Maori occupation of the area around Newmarket Park, the level of development
undertaken within the Park since it was first acquired by the Newmarket Borough
Council will have largely destroyed any archaeological evidence that may have
existed.
The report concludes that it is possible that future development of the reserve
could encounter remnant shell middens, probably on the steep vegetated slopes
above the stream, and that this possibility should be allowed for when future
development is undertaken.
4.2 European history
Newmarket Park was apparently cleared of native vegetation in the 1840s during
subdivision of the area. Parts of the Park changed hands several times during
the 1850's and 60's, probably as a result of speculation rather than
development.
The Park is located on the western slope of the Newmarket Stream gully,
previously known as Slaughter House Creek. The gully has been used as a tip site
which commenced with rubbish being tipped by the Newmarket Borough Council and
private citizens in the 1920s. Wood shavings and waste from a timber mill were
also dumped at the site in the area of the existing carpark.
The Park was originally developed as an employment relief scheme at a cost to
the Newmarket Borough Council of approximately twenty thousand pounds. This work
was undertaken during the period of the great depression (1930 – 35) and just
after the second world war (1945 – 6). The development involved the creation of
a flat area by earthworks to cut the ridges and fill the valleys. This platform
was used as an athletic track. It is understood that the fill within the valleys
was not subject to controlled compaction and was placed directly on top of the
existing rubbish and wood shavings waste. This has contributed to the
environmental problems which the Park has suffered over the years and is
addressed in more detail under the section of this Plan dealing with land
stability.
The first organised sporting use of the Park was as an athletics stadium from
the 1940s through to the 1960s. This use continued until 1962, although it was
interrupted briefly during that time by the use of the Park as a midget car
racing circuit and as a golf driving range, both circa 1950.
After 1962 the Auckland Football Association constructed two grandstands and
various other associated facilities and the Park became one of Auckland's, and
indeed New Zealand's major soccer venues. The use of the Park as a major
soccer venue ended abruptly in 1979 because of a landslip which carried away a
grandstand, a section of the playing area and damaged many of the facilities.
Although, the Auckland Football Association held a 33 year lease, which had been
signed in 1976, the costs of reinstating the grounds were prohibitive.
An agreement from the Auckland Football Association to surrender the lease was
negotiated in 1988 returning the Park to Council control. However, during the
intervening years the Park had been largely unused and left to deteriorate.
The Grammar Old Boys Rugby Football Club premises adjoin the Park adjacent to
Ayr Street. The GOBRFC enjoyed a long term lease of the Shore Road reserve for
the purposes of their playing fields from the Auckland Harbour Board prior to
that land being placed in Auckland City's control. In about 1990, the
GOBRFC proposed the development of a rugby field with ancillary facilities on
Newmarket Park and Council saw this as an opportunity to regain the Shore Road
reserve for public use.
However, the development of a rugby field did not proceed due to considerable
concern expressed by local residents and the Newmarket Park Protection Society,
over the loss of open space and stability issues related to further large scale
development of the land. As a result, the GOBRFC and Council reached agreement
on a development and use strategy for the Shore Road reserve land which enhances
public use of that reserve and facilitates the Club's use. With organised
sport in the local area thus addressed, the pressure on Newmarket Park for
organised sporting activity disappeared. The final settlement of the District
Plan zoning for the land confirmed passive open space activities for the
majority of the Park.
Newmarket Park. Click on the image to view a larger version.
