New park design proving popular with locals

The West Auckland community is “delighted” with a proposed new park design in the Westgate Town centre.

The public were recently asked for their feedback on plans for a 1.1ha site in the block of land situated opposite the entrance of Farmers at Northwest Shopping Centre.

The proposed plan includes a café, a spacious lawn for events, picnic lawns, a water feature for children to play in, and a bus stop and landscaping that will feature native and cherry trees.

Proposed park design for Westgate Town by Auckland Council. Photo: Supplied by Auckland Council

Senior specialist for the Henderson-Massey Local Board, Justin Kary, said in an emailed statement to Te Waha Nui that the public were asked for feedback about the council designs.

“The feedback is currently being collated and analysed before it is presented to the Henderson-Massey Local Board for their consideration before approving the final designs,” Mr Kary said.

Chairman of the Henderson-Massey Local Board, Vanessa Neeson, said Massey residents had been well involved in the process up until May 11 when public opinion submissions closed.

Displays of the design had been available to view and give opinion on at Northwest Shopping Centre and through community organisation Massey Matters, Mrs Neeson said.

She said many people had expressed their view on the designs and she believes “they are absolutely delighted and thrilled with what has been proposed”.

Mrs Neeson said the park was a necessity for the residents surrounding Westgate Town.

“[It is important] for the health and wellbeing of our families and our children. Park space is absolutely essential for wellbeing,” Mrs Neeson said.

Senior marketing manager for Northwest Shopping Centre Linh Luong said they are on board with what the council is planning for the area.

“Speaking from a Northwest Shopping Centre perspective, we are really delighted and looking forward to the growth that will be happening in this area,” Ms Luong said.

Ms Luong also believes the new park will improve business at the mall.

“The more critical mass we have, the more attractive it will be to the community.”

Members of the Kumeu Area Community Facebook page were more concerned with the layout of the area surrounding the park.

Yvonne Caldwell said on Facebook she was “totally dismayed and disappointed” by the number of traffic lights she needed to drive through in order to get into the shopping centre.

Ms Caldwell went on to say she was really looking forward to the development, but the park “better be absolutely amazing” if she is to “endure six sets of traffic lights” to get to it.