AUCKLAND PARKS

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXXVI, Issue 23259, 31 January 1939, Page 11

AUCKLAND PARKS

GRADUAL DEVELOPMENT SUPERINTENDENT'S PLANS UTILISATION OF CITY AREAS SYSTEMATIC TREATMENT Suggestions for the future development of some of the park areas controlled by the Auckland City Council have been made by the Parks Superintendent, Mr. T. S. Aldridge. A member of the council, Mr. J. W. Kealy, had indicated the possibility of undertaking a process of gradual development of some of the parks, which at very little cost could be made of even greater value and interest to citizens and visitors. In Mr. Kealy's view one of the chief functions of a public park, especially in a city without a botanical garden, should be to educate private gardeners not only in regard to the attraction of design, but also in the variety of ornamental plants which might advantageously be grown. Among his suggestions were that an area might be set aside for the planting of a representative collection of rhododendrons, azaleas and similar species, another for aquatic plants and alpines, a greater display of native plants and the introduction of new species. Separation of Features Some of the suggestions made by Mr. Kealy had been embodied in various parts of the Auckland parks, said Mr. Aldridge, but the combination of such features in any one park was not considered a wise practice and would not be followed to-day in the planning or lav-out of a modern park. Such parks should be distinctive in character. Albert Park, for instance, was a floral park ? and should remain so, and the development of the rose garden at Parnell Park was ip. the right direction, while the collection of native plants in the Domain was steadily being added to. The failure in public parks of the rhododendron, which had been established with disappointing results at Albert Park, Myers Park and Parnell Park, was mentioned by Mr. Aldridge. He said that no doubt this was due to their unsuitable environment, and ho could see no reason why this class of plant should not thrive and provide a wealth of bloom equal to that seen in many of the parks in the South Island. Suitability ol Areas Mr. Aldridge suggested that Craigavon Park, an area of 30 acres at Blockhouse Bay, owned by the city, should be gradually developed and part, at least, be planted with rhododendrons and azaleas. It was suitable in every way for rhododendrons, and contained a number of pinus radiata and other conifers which were necessary as a background for these plants. Aquatic and alpine gardens should be constructed on bold lines, said Mr. Aldridge. The ideal park for an aquatic, alpine and cacti garden was the area surrounding the Western Springs. This had the right conditions for a bog and water garden, the natural rock providing for the alpines and cacti. He was also of the opinion that a portion of the area at Western Springs should be preserved as left by the eruption. Lava fields in and around the city were fast disappearing and the preservation of a small area should prove of much value with the passing years. The proposals by the superintendent have been adopted for future action.