Western Park is a steep park sloping down from Ponsonby Road to Freemans Bay. It is full of established trees and has planted gullies and a good network of footpaths. It is situated in two merging gullies which run downhill to the sea (now several kilometres away due to land reclamation) from what was once called Te Rimu Tahi ridge (the 'lone Rimu tree ridge' in Maori). Originally, the Tuna Mau stream used to run through the park's area.
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Project team
Project date
1998 - 2000
The park dates back to the late-19th century and is considered one of the city's most noteworthy open spaces. Vested in Auckland City Council in 1875, it could be considered Auckland's oldest Municipal public park, as the earlier-established Auckland Domain was created by Central Government.
The grounds were laid out in accordance with the landform; with paths winding down the hill from Ponsonby Road to a small flat area at the bottom of the site. The top of the park has views of the Waitematā Harbour and the city while the lower area is used for activities.
Boffa Miskell's role included preparation of the 8-hectare park’s management plan, revitalisation of the Ponsonby Road frontage and entrance into the park, replanting of the main gully with tree ferns that featured in the park’s history, formation of a new public lookout area and entrance off Hopetoun Street, and improved entrances at all other public access points.
Most significant of the new works are the sculptural artworks by sculptor John Radford which are a feature of the flat area directly adjacent to Ponsonby Road. The three sculpture works by Radford represent pieces of buildings that once stood in Auckland, artistically sunk into the ground in the manner of ancient ruins. Park furniture by local artist and silversmith Matthew von Sturmer is also a feature.
