Our collective Taonga: Parks plan

Undertaking open space network plans to test and apply the parks plan objectives across the local parks network

Reviewing the parks matrix to ensure it aligns and delivers on parks plan objectives.

Reviewing the parks quality audit tool to ensure it aligns and delivers on parks plan objectives and establish baseline data to measure progress focusing on accessibility, usability, environmental connectivity, design, maintenance, identity sense of place and sustainability.

Establish a long-term park upgrade capital work programme focused on improving park quality.

Establish guidelines/ standards for stormwater and wastewater infrastructure in parks and reserves e.g. stormwater outfalls and energy dissipation.

Improve the coordination of parks upgrades with other works such as utility upgrades.

Apply principles of universal design to address issues of safety and accessibility.

In partnership with Safer Auckland City and the community complete safety audits of all city and district parks building on work already done as part of the quality audit assessments.

Develop a set of guidelines which address issues of safety and perception of safety whilst delivering parks plan objectives.

Developing an environmental management system (EMS) approach to integrate sustainability into management practices.

Identifying key environmental aspects and impacts such as:

• waste production
• energy use
• water use
• sustainable planting/ vegetation management

Carrying out sustainability audit of current parks and reserves management practices and renewals programme as part of the EMS.

Review regulatory and planning processes to ensure they are able to deliver parks plan objectives.

Establish approach to developing management plans to complement the delivery of the parks plan objectives and reflect the parks matrix.

Investigate new ways of funding parks and reserves sustainable management initiatives e.g. through partnerships, central government.

Prioritise addressing the following within an environmental management system:

• investigate effective alternatives to minimise herbicide use
• review weed and pest management policy to address issue of weed and pest plant species in parks
• develop a green and organic waste management policy.

Investigate the issues associated with buildings on reserves and develop a policy to assist with decision-making.

Facilitate the use of low impact design principles such as wetlands and swales to minimise the adverse effects of stormwater management on parks and reserves where practicable.

Establish guidelines to address conflict of use issues focusing on:

• events in parks and reserves
• vehicular versus pedestrian priority
• car-parking provision
• utilities e.g. stormwater management
• buildings on reserves
• soil erosion and remediation.

• purchase of small pockets of land to develop harbour walkways from Blockhouse Bay to Onehunga;
• extending existing parks on the Manukau harbour waterfront.

Developing a land acquisition programme/plan that identifies opportunities for acquiring land to upgrade existing parks.

Filling gaps in the park network reflecting adopted standards of provision and prioritising areas of growth.

Facilitating and undertaking a programme of riparian restoration along the waterway network and streams in parks and reserves, for example the Oakley Creek.

Ensuring standards of provision are further developed to take into account the support of biodiversity, sanctuaries and habitats.

Developing a land acquisition programme/plan that identifies opportunities for council to fill the gaps in ecological network, including purchase of small pockets of land.

Initiate a programme for native revegetation and habitat restoration within Auckland's parks and reserves.

Develop an ecosystem approach that allows natural processes to occur in natural areas e.g decomposition.

Establish co-management objectives with Tangata Whenua for appropriate parks.

Develop a biodiversity inventory and restoration plan for the parks network, drawing on national and regional policy and expertise.

Work in partnership with Auckland City urban design champion to promote the value of high quality parks and green space.

Developing a sportsfield plan to address issues of provision for appropriate sport and active recreation, across the green space network.

Seeking to acquire two new recreation parks, at Barrack Road and Waikaraka park expansion.

Identify opportunities to upgrade city, district and neighbourhood parks across the network to spread demand for events across the parks network.

Promote parks and reserves as key components of people's health and well-being and develop guidelines to activate parks and reserves.

Researching how Aucklanders value and use parks and green spaces so that we can ensure they are relevant to the changing needs of our increasingly diverse population.

Developing a consultation methodology aimed at engaging a wide range of Aucklanders.

Working closely with Auckland Regional Council and other partners to promote the role of parks and reserves in the wider sustainable agenda.

Developing a volunteer policy for Auckland City to promote and support volunteering in parks.

Provide a range of diverse opportunities for involvement of volunteers in the park network and recognise their contribution to achieving the parks plan objectives.

Review the role, scope and relevance of parks advisory groups such as Maungawhau and Cox’s Bay.

Report to communities on progress establishing a parks reference group (external and internal to council) in conjunction with the Our Collective Taonga forum.

Develop a Parks marketing plan to promote greater use and awareness of parks and link to programmes to support their use e.g. AK Active.

In partnership with iwi and others, establish a sustainable management demonstration project in Auckland's parks.

Trial sustainable management techniques in specific parks and reserves e.g. stormwater projects utilising low impact design principles constructed in partnership with Auckland Regional Council and Metrowater.