PLAYING AREAS.

Auckland Star, Volume LXI, Issue 265, 8 November 1930, Page 10

PLAYING AREAS.

PROPOSAL FOB COX'S GREEK. BIG EXPENSE INVOLVED. "OTHER WORKS MORE URGENT." j A proposal for the reclamation of both the outer and inner areas of Cox's Creek is at present under the consideration of the city engineer, Mr. J. Tyler, who anticipates being able to report to the parks committee within the next week or two. During Mr. Geo. Baildon's term as Mayor of Grey Lvna he was recponsible for the Cox's Creek outer aiea being vested in the council, and this was taken 0 7«r bv the city when Grey Lynn amalgamated. This outer area is known as the boat harbour and comprises approximately 40 acres which could be reclaimed it necessary for the purposes of a park, or it could be dredged out to make a better boat harbour and the spoil used on the inner area of the creek; for reclamation purposes. The inner area of the creek bounded by what is known as the Causeway and West End Road is approximately twelve acres in area, and Mr. Tyler's report will deal with this piece of swamp and show the estimated cost of filling and improvement. At the present time the Westmere corner has had some tion, as it is being filled in for the purposes of tennis courts. There is an area of the creek tidal land between the Causeway and Richmond Road joining Bayfield Park, which is also under consideration-for inclusion in the proposed playing area. . Huge Expense. The chairman of the parks committee, Mr. J. B. Paterson, stated this morning that in his opinion tremendous expense would be involved in making the jnner area of Cox's Creek suitable for a playing area. "It certainly would make a fine park," he said, "but just .how we are to get the requisite money isanotlier matter. There are plenty of other works much more urgent. The proposal to make a park is certainly a _good one, but I cannot see much hope oi a scheme being adopted at present." "I have been instructed by the Mayor to make a report on the Cox's Creek area," stated Mr. Tyler. "The question has been before the engineering department of the city on more than one occasion. There have been mates prepared as to the cost of filling and laying out the area. lam collecting data now. The area would certainly make an excellent recreation ground. "The outer area, or boat harbour, came under notice when air ports were being considered. I then prepared an estimate showing the cost of filling in the outer area. This involved the building of a wall from point to point—from Heme Bay to a site opposite on the old Hellaby property. Sixty Acres, £92,000. "The estimate provided for an area of 60 acres and the cost was shown at £92,000. In that report I showed that a longer runway could ha made by extending the filling further into the harbour so as to give an area of 80 acres. The estimated cost was £160,000." Referring to the inner area, which extends right up to the vicinity of Richmond Road, Mr. Tyler said one' of the chief works would'be the construction of huge culverts to take the storm water which at present flowed by way of open gullies into the creek. This would be a costly undertaking. If the whole of the inner area were reclaimed on both sides of the Causeway the city could have a park of approximately thirty acres including Bayfield Park. Forty or fifty acres coukl also be reclaimed in the boat harbour if it was decided to have one huge plaground. There "was a small reserve at the back of what was known as the Bishop's property, which would be included. In the recent drainage loan £6000 was included for a culvert from Richmond Boad. The Mayor's Interest. The Mayor, Mr. G. Baildon, said he had given some thought to the scheme. He had always had an interest in Cox's Creek and was responsible for Grey Lvmi acquiring the outer area when he was Mayor. Nothing had been decided upon as to the future, but ho thought that if the channel of the creek could be' intercepted by a culvert under the Causeway it "would make possible the work of reclaiming the twelve acres bounded by West End Boad and the Causeway much easier.