IMPROVING THE PARKS

Sun (Auckland), Volume II, Issue 335, 21 April 1928, Page 13

IMPROVING THE PARKS

MORN3NGSIDE RESERVE MT. ALBERT’S EFFORTS The example of the city proper in ?mproving the parks is being followed jy Mount Albert, which has so far ijeen able to offer the citizens hut one ilaying field on the bosom of the mountain. The once despised and neglected hospital reserve at Morningside was taken over some years ago aid money raised by the public has been subsidised by the Government for relief of unemployment. With the £I,OOO available from all sources the borough has made excellent progress in remodelling the former rocky ~efuse-tip which occupied part of the 29 acres that is to be made park land. CHILDREN’S AREA Under special authority the borough may raise a loan for the purpose of making this park, but so far the entrance portion only, has been put in hand with the £I,OOO raised. A driveway divides the field and on the right side a triangular “child’s park” is almost ready for grassing and for the tarring of the paths. Rockwork gardens are in place and cunning design has turned the natural features to account. On the opposite side of the entrance a sand-dip is ready for the children, and set in dignity is a granite fountain. The gift of Mr. A. C. Caughey to Mount Albert Borough; this formerly stood on the main road near the present tram terminus, but the concreting of the roadway necessitated its removal. Solid rock walls are to be ornamented and provision for football and tennis is to -be made. The engineer to the borough, Mr. W. E. Begbie, is pushing along the work in order to have everything in readiness for an official opening ceremony on May 26. CABBAGE-TREE SWAMP The borough is calling for competitive designs for the lay-out of the former Cabbage-Tree swamp, now the Gribblehurst Park, where there are 15 acres of rock. With five main entrances from the surrounding residential district and the new stormwater drain nearing completion, this park to he offers rare possibilities for the delight of the residents of Edendale. Hie designs are to be considered by the Mount Albert Council very soon and the money required to carry out the plan will be raised by loan.