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Monte Cecilia Park: Draft master plan - aerial sketch perspective

From City Scene, published on 8 November, 2009.

The development of Monte Cecilia Park in Hillsborough - which has been earmarked as Auckland's next "premier park", similar in stature to Auckland Domain and Albert Park - is progressing well.

The aim is to create an area that will offer Aucklanders a peaceful retreat, a place to experience arts and culture, and a venue for events that match these themes.

The concept for the park was endorsed by the council in 1998. By 2000, land purchasing had started, and stage one of the park officially opened in 2004. In 2007, a master plan was designed to guide development of the park giving due consideration to its useability, location and history.

At the centre of the park is the historic Pah Homestead, which is being refurbished. It will become the TSB Bank Wallace Arts Centre, home of the James Wallace Arts Trust's significant collection. Restoration work is on track to be completed by mid-2010.

Surrounding the building are over 14 hectares of green space. Work is continuing on this area, guided by the master plan, and includes acquiring additional land for the park. The council envisages increasing the size of the park as opportunities arise - part of a long-term strategy to build up the park and improve access to it.

"Monte Cecilia Park is a hidden gem," says Deputy Mayor, David Hay. "It's a beautiful, tranquil haven located in the middle of the Auckland isthmus, but it's also mere seconds from major arterial routes. This means it has the natural splendour, location, history, space and surrounding infrastructure to be the crown jewel in Auckland's extensive network of parks and green spaces."

"As a council, our goal and responsibility is help nurture the potential of the park. We're going to turn this from a scenic location into something truly special - work is already under way, and there's much more to come. We're going to make the vision a reality and give the city a gift that will be around for generations to come."

For more information about the park and proposed improvements, visit the Monte Cecilia Park section.