Monte Cecilia Park DRAFT CONCEPT PLAN FEBRUARY 2015 AUCKLAND COUNCIL

Monte Cecilia Park DRAFT CONCEPT PLAN FEBRUARY 2015 AUCKLAND COUNCIL

1 Site analysis and concept

1.1 Location Site Extent MT ALBERT RD HILLSBOROUGH RD BUDOCK RD MONTE CECILIA PARK KORMA RD HERD RD Figure 1. Auckland City Figure 2. Monte Cecilia (aerial photo taken 2010) 4

1.2 Existing conditions Photographic analysis 6 8 7 3 5 9 10 11 4 FIGURE LEGEND: Figure 3. Delargey Avenue carpark Figure 4. View towards Pah Homestead Figure 5. Pah Homestead Figure 6. View of green near Budock Road Figure 7. View towards northern boundary of park Figure 8. Mature woodland frames northern green Figure 9. View towards Marcellin College Figure 10. Wetland native planting with boardwalk Figure 11. Panoramic view of the central green 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 Auckland Council Monte Cecilia Park 5

1.3 Existing Conditions MT ALBERT RD LEGEND: HILLSBOROUGH RD Park Boundary Tree Locations Planter beds Footpath Recent acquisitions, not yet incorporated into park BUDOCK RD Knoll Seymour Park Existing wetland.5m contours Directional & Heritage signage Existing sculptures Proposed sculptures Park entrance P Monte Cecilia Primary School (acquisition by A.C. 2016) Approved & consented location for semipermanent pavilion for events measuring 23m by 14m (322m2) Marcellin College NOTE: Directional and heritage signage and sculptures have been approved by the Local Board for installation in 2015. Friary 1939 Knoll delargey ave Pah Stables 1879 P Pah Homestead & Gardens 1879 Orchard KORMA RD The Whare PAH RD Selwyn Heights Retirement Village N HERD RD Scale: 1:3000 @ A3 6

HERD ROAD KEY: Existing carpark/circulation 11 MT ALBERT ROAD 1.4 Monte Cecilia concept with loop road Proposed carpark/circulation Existing paths Proposed path Existing planting Existing wetlands Existing trees Proposed trees 2 1 b NOTES: 1 2 3 Removal of building structures including foundations, tidying of planting and reinstatement of lawn. Address retaining wall issue, currently propping up tree root system, approx 20m in length. Handrail to be upgraded to fit in with the character of the park and complement the friary fencing. B a Options for semi-permanent pavilion location Options for permanent playground location, refer to section 2.0 BUDOCK ROAD a 4 5 Potential carpark (up to 44 spaces as shown). Dependent on demand and playground location. Path to connect new carpark to the existing park walkway. HILLSBOROUGH ROAD 3 6 7 8 9 Possible location for a community vegetable garden for residents of the area. Overflow parking for events and large functions only, grass on gravel and sand base (30 spaces). Removal of pillars along northern edge of Delargey Drive. Tennis courts for recreation and informal use. DELARGEY AVE 7 8 6 10 11 12 Whare building. Improved park entrance. Reinstate and extend existing orchard. 5 4 13 Loop road, refer to page 8 for further details. B A 12 d KORMA ROAD NOTE: Planning constraints will affect the masterplan s detailed design due to sensitivity of the site s cultural and natural heritage. 9 c 10 13 PAH ROAD The local board wants to recognise the heritage of the park including the Monte Cecilia School/Diocese, Maori heritage and Pakeha/European heritage. Opportunities and ideas will be sought on how this might be done. For a larger view please view page 8 N Scale: 1:3000 @ A3 Auckland Council Monte Cecilia Park 7

KEY: B a Existing carpark/circulation Proposed carpark/circulation Existing paths Proposed path Existing planting Existing trees Proposed trees Options for semi-permanent pavilion location Options for permanent playground location, refer to section 2.0 1.5 Monte Cecilia concept with loop road zoom NOTES: 1 2 3 4 5 Feature tree groves. Tennis courts for recreation and informal use. Whare building. Central green with contoured landform and low stone walls around perimeter. Possible one way loop around central green for car, bus and service vehicle pick-up / drop-off. Intersection with carriage drive denoted by feature bluestone paving and hedging. 6 Possible bus bay pick-up / drop-off zone (3 parallel parks) DELARGEY AVE 7 Footpath connection to Whare. HILLSBOROUGH ROAD A 8 Existing carparks retained. NOTE: Planning constraints will affect the masterplan s detailed design due to sensitivity of the site s cultural and natural heritage. 4 8 The local board wants to recognise the heritage of the park including the Monte Cecilia School/Diocese, Maori heritage and Pakeha/European heritage. Opportunities and ideas will be sought on how this might be done. B 6 1 5 7 2 c 3 N HERD ROAD Scale: 1:1500 @ A3 8

1.6 Plant Palette - Feature Areas The indicative plant palette draws upon the existing character of the park. Orchards are suggested to keep in with the homestead atmosphere. Formal hedges and feature tree groves are proposed to compliment the proposed central green and bus-bay. The planting selection should be sensitive to the park heritage and compliment the existing species. The option of a community garden available for residents is to be further explored. Figure 12. Orchards Figure 13. Colourful amenity planting - Monte Cecilia Figure 14. Feature tree groves - Monte Cecilia Figure 15. Community veggie garden Figure 16. Mix of native planting - Monte Cecilia Figure 17. Formal hedging - Monte Cecilia Auckland Council Monte Cecilia Park 9

1.7 Plant Palette - Native Underplanting The indicative plant palette seeks to improve native biodiversity while adding interest and colo0ur to the understory. Crown uplifting, the removal of weeds and underplanting will add colour and neaten the newly aquired plots. Ensure continuity witht he rest of the park in the planting design. Low-growing, hardy and evergreen natives such as ferns, carexes and astelias are suggested. Figure 18. Arthropodium cirratum Matapouri Bay Figure 19. Asplenium bulbiferum Figure 20. Asplenium oblongifolium Figure 21. Astelia solandrii Figure 22. Elatostema rugosum Figure 23. Carex dissita Figure 25. Fuchsia procumbens Figure 24. Libertia ixioides 10

2 Playground Options

2.1 Playground Design Principles Possible concepts of playscape to be explored are footprints left from traces of former occupations of the park, nature and woodlands. The natural setting is to be embraced by incorporating natural play through the landscape. Interactive play elements that aim to provide the widest possible variety of activities and a full range of play experiences are to be used. A strong emphasis on the existing heritage of the park will be a major influencial factor in the design process. Figure 26. Woodland playground Figure 27. Simple effective interventions Figure 28. Interactive elements Figure 29. Natural play elements Figure 30. Merging the landscape with play Figure 31. Landform contouring Figure 32. Bringing play into design Figure 33. Incorporating nature into detailed design 12

2.2 Playground Location - Option a PROS: CONS: In an open area, visible from the end of Budock Road Good passive surveillance for safety No dedicated parking nearby Relatively far from main park facilities - homestead etc. Some existing planting for shade Near existing walkway Unencumbered space, plenty room for a range of activities NOTES: Playground as shown would roughly be 350-400m² Similar area to the playground in Western Park (CBD) BUDOCK ROAD a The concept, size and shape of the playground would be further developed if this location was chosen and is indicative only N Scale: 1:1500 @ A3 Figure 34. Playground location option 1 Auckland Council Monte Cecilia Park 13

2.3 Playground Location - Option b MT ALBERT ROAD PROS: CONS: Outstanding natural setting with shade trees available nearby Close to existing walkway system Takes advantage of space that is currently unused Adjacent to flat grass space for ball games No dedicated parking nearby Relatively far from main park facilities - homestead etc. Relatively secluded; little passive surveillance NOTES: Playground as shown would roughly be 400-450m² b Similar area to the playground in Myers Park (CBD) The concept, size and shape of the playground would be further developed if this location was chosen and is indicative only N Scale: 1:1500 @ A3 Figure 35. Playground location option 2 14

2.4 Playground Location - Option c PROS: CONS: DELARGEY AVE Close to all main park facilities; allows parents to get food/drink from the cafe Near car park Near proposed tennis court and paddling pool Flat, unencumbered area In a busier area of park, doesn t distribute activities throughout park and potentially puts pressure on parking In an exposed area not near planting, limited shade NOTES: Playground as shown would roughly be 250-300m² Similar area to the playground in Shore Road playground (Remuera) The concept, size and shape of the playground would be further developed if this location was chosen and is indicative only c Option for parking/circulation is shown for reference. The choice of option for parking and circulation would not affect the success of the playground at this location. N Scale: 1:1500 @ A3 Figure 36. Playground location option 3 Auckland Council Monte Cecilia Park 15

2.5 Playground Location - Option d PROS: CONS: KORMA ROAD Close to proposed car park and pathway Near existing trees, allowing for some shading of the playground Connects to existing walkway Slightly undulating contour makes for interesting design options Relatively far from main park facilities - homestead etc. Proximity to carpark means that safety considerations would be required NOTES: d Playground as shown would roughly be 300-350m² Similar area to the playground in Mt Wellington War Memorial The concept, size and shape of the playground would be further developed if this location was chosen and is indicative only N Scale: 1:1500 @ A3 Figure 37. Playground location option 4 16

2.6 Playground Precedent Images - Potential Play Experiences Rocking: Balance Scootering/Biking Sliding Auckland Council Monte Cecilia Park 17

2.7 Playground Precedent Images - Potential Play Experiences Spinning Climbing Swinging Hanging 18