Olympic Park Judged Most Outstanding In The Land

Olympic Park Judged Most Outstanding Park In The Land

New Lynn’s Olympic Park has been awarded the New Zealand Recreation Association's (NZRA) Outstanding Park Award 2007.

The award was presented to the Waitakere City Council yesterday at the NZRA national conference.

The chairman of the Olympic Park Trust and Councillor Derek Battersby is overwhelmed with the award and says it is a result of a joint effort of the Olympic Park trustees together with the Waitakere City Council over the last six years.

“Because of the unique way in which this park has been developed it has attracted people from far and wide – people who are now enjoying the park’s fantastic amenities,” Councillor Battersby says.

“It’s environmentally sustainable development together with the state-of-the-art children’s playground equipment has seen Olympic Park go from strength from strength,” he says.

Portage Trust president and Councillor Ross Clow says that the award will make a perfect Christmas present for the Portage trustees who first envisaged the Olympic Park upgrade six years ago.

“It wasn’t long ago that this park was little more than an unattractive site used by BMX riders, but in a short space of time our wildest dreams have come true as this has become an inclusive public space accommodating arts, sports and recreational users,” Councillor Clow says.

The park’s upgrade has been funded by The Trusts, the ASB and the Waitakere City Council and there will be an official Olympic Park opening in March, 2008

In presenting the city with the award the NZRA acknowledged that in the past several years Olympic Park has been re-developed and renovated in line with Waitakere City Council’s eco-city vision.

And it seems to be a winning formula.

NZRA CEO Brendon Ward says the judges were impressed with the park’s sustainability and educational features.

“The judges also liked the way the park was designed for many different purposes,” says Mr Ward.

“There are playgrounds for children, areas for brass bands, sports facilities and walking tracks. It’s all really well done.”

By considering ecological systems throughout the seven hectare park, cooperating with community groups, and providing sporting and cultural opportunities, the council has developed what can officially be called ‘the most outstanding park in New Zealand’ he says.

Other features, which caught the judges’ eyes, were the re-cycling promotion and zero waste policies, planting trees and educational opportunities.

ENDS

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