Draft Concept Plan - Local Board Workshop, 15 July, 2014
Auckland Council Home Street Reserve Concept Plan | 3 Section 1: Introduction 1.1 Introduction 6 Section 2: Analysis 2.1 Site context - history 8 2.2 Site context - surrounding landuse 9 2.3 Site context - circulation 10 2.4 Site context - open space 11 2.5 Site specifc analysis - reference map 12 2.6 Site specifc analysis - street environment 13 2.7 Site specifc analysis - reserve entrances 14 2.8 Site specifc analysis - play spaces 15 2.9 Site specifc analysis - vegetation 16 Section 3: Concept Plan 3.1 Concept plan 18 3.2 Concept plan elements 19 Section 4: Artists Impression Contents 1.0 Introduction and Background Home Street Reserve - Concept Plan Report 6 Introduction This concept plan report provides draft conceptual options for the renewal and development of Home Street Reserve, Arch Hill. The purpose of this document is to develop a long term vision for the reserve. The concept plan aims to meet the policies and objectives for the reserve, and demands of its surrounding community. Home Street Reserve playground is currently due for renewal. This document looks at the reserve holistically, ensuring any works within the park align with the long term vision for the park. To gain an understanding of the needs of the reserve, analysis of the wider context has been undertaken, including landuse, circulation and surrounding open space. Site specifc analysis is also included, including a review of the surrounding street environment, reserve entrances, play spaces and vegetation. Site background Address: 19 King Street, Grey Lynn, Auckland 1021 Home Street Reserve is located in Arch Hill, between the suburbs of Grey Lynn and Kingsland. Arch Hill is offcially part of Grey Lynn, but it maintains its own unique character. Site Area: 680 sqm Zoning: Auckland City District Plan - Isthmus section : Open Space 2 Informal Recreation Which aims to: Protect appropriate areas of open space for the enhancement of the environment and the enjoyment of informal recreation Enhance the surrounding environment with the retention and regeneration of native plants and trees Ensures the visual enhancement of the area Design considerations Following an a analysis of the site and its surrounding context, design considerations were established for the site. This draft concepts for Home Street Reserve included within this document aim for the site being: A safe place for people to recreate A place that has a strong sense of the community it sits within An exciting place for children to play A place to meet and socialise A place with a presence (people know it is there) A place of high visual amenity A place which requires low maintenance 1.1 Introduction Figure 1. Home Street Reserve, Auckland Council GIS, 2010 2.0 Analysis Home Street Reserve - Concept Plan Report 8 Arch Hill 2.2 Site Context - History Figure 2. Arch hill historical map, Boylan and Lundon, 1880s History in Brief Brief facts about Arch Hill: Originally known as Archill Farm, the land was later subdivided as shown on the Surrey Hills, Arch Hill & Eden Terrace map The former mayor of Auckland, Henry Brett, wrote Bretts Colonist Guide and Cyclopedia of Useful Knowledge. which includes cottage designs, which are recognisable on the streets of Arch Hill today. (http://www.keithandsandy.co.nz/arch- hill-and-surrounds/) In the 1870s the district became known for its night soil depots Arch hill brick works were set up at the end of 1877 The Arch Hill hotel was opened in 1880, on the corner of Turangi Road and Great North Road By 1899, the district was sorting out a reticulated water supply, and had its own volunteer fre brigade with a fre station by March 1900, at around 252-258 Great North Road, adjoining the Arch Hill Road Board offces. The district amalgamated with Auckland City in 1913. Arch Hill population 2006 Census data in brief: Total population of Arch Hill was 1,230 9.5 percent of people are ages under 15 year in Arch Hill, compared with 22.1 percent for all of Auckland There were 57 children aged between 0-4 years, in Arch Hill There were 33 children aged between 5-9 years, in Arch Hill There were 27 children aged between 10-14, in Arch Hill Figure 3. Arch Hill Aerial, Auckland Council GIS, 2010 Auckland Council Home Street Reserve Concept Plan | 9 B O N D S T R E E T P IT T S T R E E T G R E A T N O R T H R O A D KARANGAHAPE ROAD NEWTON ROAD HOPETOUN STREET GREAT NORTH ROAD IA N M C K IN N O N D R IV E D O M IN IO N R O A D M O U N T A IN V IE W R O A D S C H O O L R O A D K IN G S L A N D A V E N U E S A N D R IN G H A M R O A D D O M IN IO N R O A D NEW NORTH ROAD NEW NORTH ROAD ROSSMAY TERRACE N O R T H W E S T E R N M O T O R W A Y
P O N S O N B Y R O A D
T U R E K IN A S T R E E T
N O R T H L A N D S T R E E T
W IL L IA M S O N A V E N U E RICHMOND ROAD TURANGI ROAD C R U M M E R R O A D VIEW ROAD BELLEVUE ROAD VALLEY ROAD WALTERS ROAD GREY LYNN PARK ARCH HILL SCENIC RESERVE NIXON PARK SUFFOLK RESERVE H R PARK T T S T R E E E T KARANG GAHAP APE ROAD NEWTON ROAD HOPETOUN STREETT TOUN S GREAT NORTH ROAD D O M IN IO N R O A D M O U N T A IN V IE W R O A D S C H O O L R O A D S CC O A D C H O O L R S K IN G S A N D R IN G H A M R O A D A S A N D R IN G H D O M IN IO N R O A D NEW NORTH ROAD NEW H NORTH N ROSSMAY TERRACE AY TERRACE ROSSMA P O N S O N B Y R O A D
RICHMOND ROAD TURANGI ROAD VIEW ROAD BELLEVUE ROAD AD VALLEY ROAD WALTERS ROAD GREY LYNN PARK OLK EE H R O A D IA N M C K IN N O N D R IV E V D R IV E G S L A N D A V E N U E NEW NORTH ROAD T U R E K IN A S T R E E T
N O R T H L A N D S T R E E T
W IL L IA M S O N A V E N U E C R U M M E R R O A D ARCH HILL SCENIC RESERVE PARK SUFFOL S ER RESERVE RE H R PARK This map shows the Auckland Council District Plan zoning, which will be superseded by the Unitary Plan in the future. Home Street Reserve is surrounded by residential properties. These residential properties are bounded by business to the west and north, and special purpose to the east and south. Large green corridors buffer the busy road of the North-western Motorway and Ian Mckinnon Drive. Businesses along Great North Road are predominantly car sales yards, with a mixture of light industry, small business, retail stores, and mixed use buildings. Surrounding residential properties are typically single dwellings on relatively small sections (300-400sqm). There is a number of apartment and mixed use buildings along the nearby Great North Road and Newton Road. Special purpose land consists of Newton Central School at the eastern limits of Arch Hill and the North-western motorway to the south. The Draft Unitary Plan has been released for public consultation, with submissions closing in February 2014. If the draft Unitary Plan is adopted as currently indicated there will be little change from the current zoning of Arch Hill. Within this context of relatively dense residential development, reserves play an important role. Open space provides recreational opportunities and amenity to balance the bulk and scale of the surrounding built form. Open space also have the potential to become backyards for those properties without them. 2.2 Site context - surrounding landuse Home Street Reserve Open Space Residential Business Special purpose LEGEND: Scale: 1:2,000 @ A3 N Auckland City Council Activity Zoning 1 0
m i n
w a l k 5 m in u t e
w a l k 10 B O N D S T R E E T P IT T S T R E E T G R E A T N O R T H R O A D KARANGAHAPE ROAD NEWTON ROAD HOPETOUN STREET GREAT NORTH ROAD IA N M C K IN N O N D R IV E D O M IN IO N R O A D M O U N T A IN V IE W R O A D S C H O O L R O A D K IN G S L A N D A V E N U E S A N D R IN G H A M R O A D D O M IN IO N R O A D NEW NORTH ROAD NEW NORTH ROAD ROSSMAY TERRACE N O R T H W E S T E R N M O T O R W A Y
P O N S O N B Y R O A D
T U R E K IN A S T R E E T
N O R T H L A N D S T R E E T
W IL L IA M S O N A V E N U E RICHMOND ROAD TURANGI ROAD C R U M M E R R O A D VIEW ROAD BELLEVUE ROAD VALLEY ROAD WALTERS ROAD GREY LYNN PARK ARCH HILL SCENIC RESERVE NIXON PARK SUFFOLK RESERVE H R H R H R PARK T T S T R E E T E T T S T R E EE TT T S T R E E T E T TTT T S T R E E T E T EEEE KARANGAHA N A RANGAHA RAN KARA PP E E AP AP OAD AD AD OA EE AP APE O ROOA E RO PE APE ROA AP AP KARANGAHAPE ROAD RO NEWTON ROAD EW ON AD NEW EWTON AD ON ROA NE HO HOPETOUN STREET ST N ST T OUN STREET T T OPETOUN STREET HOPETOUN TREET NN ST HOPETOUN TT TT OUN STREET GREAT NORTH ROAD GREAT N AD AD NORTH ROAD GREAT NORTH ROAD D O M IN IO N R O A D A D IO D O M IN IO N R O A D D O M IN IO N R O A D M O U N T A IN V IE W R O A D M O U N T A IN V IE W W R O A D W R O A D W R M O U N T A IN V IE W R O A D M O U N T A IN V IE W R O A D W S C H O O L R O A D O C H O O L R O S C O A D O A D O R O A D R O R O O A D K IN G K IN G S A N D R IN G HH A IN S A N D R IN G H A G H A M R O A D A H A M R O A D A D N G H A H A NN G H A S A N D R IN G H A M R O A D D O M IN IO N R O A D O A M IN D O M IN IO N R O O A D D O M IN IO N R O A D OO A D O M IN IO N R O A O A D D O M IN IO N R O O A D NEW NORTH ROAD NEW NORTH ROAD W NORTH ROAD NORTH ROAD NORTH ROAD NORTH ROAD N ROSSMAY TERRACE ROSSMAY TERRACE N B Y R O A D
N P O N S O N B Y R O A D N S O N P O N S O N B Y R O A D O N B N B Y N O N B Y O N B P O N S O N B P O N S O N P O N S O N B Y R O A D RICHMOND ROAD O RICHMOND ROADD RICHMOND ROAD TURANGI ROAD TURANGI ROAD VIEW ROAD W VIEW ROAD VIEW ROAD RO VIEW ROAD VIEW ROAD VIEW ROAD BELLEVUE ROAD BE BELLEVUE ROAD VALLEY ROAD VALLEY ROAD WALTERS ROAD WALTERS ROAD AD AD AD AD GREY EY E LYNNNN PARK OLK EEE H R O A D R O A D H R O A D H R H R O H R O A D K I IA N M C K I K I M C K I IA N M C IA N M N IN INN M C K IN K IN O N D R IV E V D R IV E N N O N O NN D R IV E N N O NN N NN A N M C K IN N O N D R IV E G S L A N D A V E N U E AA NNN U E G S L A N D A V E N NEW NORTH ROAD NO D H R NORTH TH R ROAD H RO NNNEW NO ROAD NNEW NORTH ROAD S T R E E T
S T R E E T S T R T U R E K IN A S T S T T U R E K IN A S T S T R S T S T S T S T R S T R E E T
S T S T S T R E E T N O R T H L A N D S T SS N O R T H L A N D S T S T S T S T S T W IL L IA M S O N A V L I A L I A W IL L IA A V E N U E A V A V A V E N U E L IA M S O N A V AAA V A V AA V A V A V A V W IL L IA M S O N A V E N U E C R U M M E R R R R C R C R U M M E R R R C R C R R O A D R O R O A D R O A D RR O A D C R U M M E R R O R U C R U C R U M M E R R R O A D RR O RRR O RRR O R O ARCH HILL SCENIC RESERVE SCEN PARK SUFFOL S RESER RESERVE ER H R H R H R PARK Home Street Reserve is surrounded by a network of local roads. Local roads form the northern and eastern boundaries to the site. Home Street forms the northern boundary and King Street forms the eastern boundary. There is a street garden adjacent to Home Street Reserve stopping vehicular access between Bond Street and King Street. Beyond the network of local roads, the reserve is bound on all sides by busy roads (arterial roads and the North-western motorway). These busy roads are within a 10 minute walk from Home Street Reserve and provide somewhat of a barrier for pedestrians, with limited designated pedestrian crossings and bridge crossings of the motorway. The Waitemata proposed Greenway network, adopted by the Local Board in 2013, does not directly intersect with Home Street Reserve. When the Greenway network is developed, it will provide improved pedestrian and cycle connections the local road network that surrounds the reserve. Similarly the Auckland Cycle Network (ACN) does not connect with the reserve. The location and topography of the reserve means that the development of the reserve is unlikely to contribute to any wider circulation networks. 2.3 Site context - circulation Home Street Reserve Arterial roads and motorway surrounding Home Street Reserve Proposed greenway route Motorway Arterial Road Local Road Highway Connector Feeder LEGEND: Scale: 1:2,000 @ A3 N Road Hierarchy Auckland Cycle Network 1 0
m i n
w a l k 5 m in u t e
w a l k Auckland Council Home Street Reserve Concept Plan | 11 B O N D S T R E E T P IT T S T R E E T G R E A T N O R T H R O A D KARANGAHAPE ROAD NEWTON ROAD HOPETOUN STREET GREAT NORTH ROAD IA N M C K IN N O N D R IV E D O M IN IO N R O A D M O U N T A IN V IE W R O A D S C H O O L R O A D K IN G S L A N D A V E N U E S A N D R IN G H A M R O A D D O M IN IO N R O A D NEW NORTH ROAD NEW NORTH ROAD ROSSMAY TERRACE N O R T H W E S T E R N M O T O R W A Y
P O N S O N B Y R O A D
T U R E K IN A S T R E E T
N O R T H L A N D S T R E E T
W IL L IA M S O N A V E N U E RICHMOND ROAD TURANGI ROAD C R U M M E R R O A D VIEW ROAD BELLEVUE ROAD VALLEY ROAD WALTERS ROAD GREY LYNN PARK ARCH HILL SCENIC RESERVE NIXON PARK SUFFOLK RESERVE H R PARK T E TT T S T R E E T E T APE ROA N A AD NGAHA RAN A KARA AP AP OOA R PE APE ROA N ROA EW N AD NEW EWTON AD ON ROA HOPETOUNNNN STREET HOPETOUN T N S TOUN NORTH ROAD GREAT N AD AD NORTH ROAD D O M IN IO N R O A D M O U N T A IN V IE W R O A D W R C O C H O O L R O S C O A D K IN G S A N D R IN G H A M R O A D A D O A D O M IN IO N R O A O A D NEW NORTH ROADD W N ROSSMAY TERRACE P O N S O N B Y R O A D
O N B RICH RICHMOND ROAD AD TURANGI ROAD VIEW ROA W VIEW ROAD BELLEVUE ROAD VALLEY ROAD VALLEY ROAD WALTERS ROAD GREY LYNN PARK OLK K EE R O A O A R O A D H R O A D H R O N N O E N M C K IN N O N K IN M C K I O N
IA N M C IA N M C K IN N D R IV E IN N O M C K IN K IN NNN U E G S L A N D A V E N TH RO NO N NORTH TH R ROAD H RO NNEW NO ROAD T S T R E E T
S T R T U R E K IN A S T S T R S T S T S T R E E T
N O R T H L A N D S T A V L I A V L I A V A V E N U E W IL L IA L L IA M S O N A V R U RR O A D C R U C R U M M E R R O ARCH HILL SCENIC RESERVE PARK SUFFOL S RESER RESERVE ER H R PARK This map shows public open space that surrounds Home Street Reserve. It also shows land adjacent to the North-western motorway that is not zoned Open Space, but is land that provides recreational opportunities. Grey Lynn as a whole is well served by public open space that provide a variety of recreational opportunities. As discussed in section 2.3, however arterial roads act somewhat as a barrier to Home Street Reserve. Home Street Reserve is the only reserve that sits with these busy roads and services the recreational needs of the Arch Hill community. Larger areas of open space are provided beyond these busy roads, but within a 10 minute walk from Home Street Reserve, and their recreational facilities include: Grey Lynn Park provides sportsfelds, basketball courts, tennis courts, clubrooms, playgrounds, and a skate ramp. Suffolk Reserve provides green open space. Nixon Park provides sports felds, skate parks, basketball court, playground, and clubrooms. Arch Hill Reserve provides a playground, basketball court, mountain bike track, and green open space.
2.4 Site context - open space LEGEND: Scale: 1:2,000 @ A3 N Home Street Reserve Schools Kindergarten / day care Council owned Not owned by council Motorway Arterial Local Road Public Open Space Road Hierarchy 1 0
m i n
w a l k 5 m in u t e
w a l k 12 Reference Map 2.5 Site specifc analysis - reference map Home Street King Street Seating and utility box Home street entrance King Street entrance Concrete crib retaining wall Concrete block retaining wall Ball wall Playground Basketball court Vegetation - agapanthus Vegetation - ivy Vegetation - small trees Vegetation - small trees LEGEND: Scale: 1:500 @ A3 N H O M E S T R E E T K I N G
S T R E E T 1 1 5 9 13 2 6 10 14 11 12 3 7 4 8 2 4 3 5 6 11 10 9 7 8 14 12 13 Auckland Council Home Street Reserve Concept Plan | 13 6 5 Site photos Street frontage Home Street Reserve is largely hidden from view from both Home street and King Street. The reserve sits signifcantly lower than the surrounding streets, and views into the reserve are further obscured by vegetation and a large utility box at the corner of the site. Access to the reserve is to restricted to two entrance points. A mesh fence largely follows the boundary of the reserve and the surrounding streets, which provides safety from falling. The surrounding streets are relatively quiet with wide footpaths. Opportunities exist within the street network to signifcantly lift the profle of the reserve. 2.6 Site specifc analysis - street environment Image 4, Home Street looking west(#1 ref map), Auckland Council, 2013 Image 5, Home Street looking east (#1 ref map), Auckland Council, 2013 Image 5, King Street looking south(#2 ref map), Auckland Council, 2013 Image 5, Seating and utility box, cnr of Home and King streets (#3 ref map), 4 7 14 10 9 Site photos Reserve entrances Access to the reserve from Home Street is often restricted and visually obstructed by vehicles. This entrance provides a turnaround area for vehicles using Home Street. This area is a no parking area, but is often used for carparking. The area is also used for storing rubbish bins on rubbish collection days. Access to the reserve from King Street is relatively clear and visible, although from here views to the broader reserve are largely screened by vegetation. Opportunities exist to improve the access and visibility to the reserve from both Home street and King street. Retaining walls There are a number of retaining walls within Home Street Reserve. The most signifcant is a concrete crib wall that runs parallel to Home street. This wall appears to be structurally sound but is of low aesthetic value. The wall looks tired and poorly maintained. A basalt stone wall runs parallel to King Street, and in places this appears to require stabilisation. A wire mesh fence serves as a safety barrier along both Home street and King street. There are a number of holes within the wire mesh that needs to be repaired/replaced. Opportunities exist to improve both the retaining walls and fences, structurally, aesthetically and for safety reasons. 2.7 Site specifc analysis - reserve entrances 8 11 Image 8, Home Street entrance (#4 ref map), Auckland Council, 2013 Image 9, King Street entrance (#5 ref map), Auckland Council, 2013 Image 10, Retaining wall (#6 ref map), Auckland Council, 2013 Image 11, Retaining wall (#6 ref map), Auckland Council, 2013 Auckland Council Home Street Reserve Concept Plan | 15 14 13 Site photos Play spaces Rooms of play spaces currently exist within Home Street Reserve. These rooms are separated by level changes and walls. Rooms enable the reserve to be used by different user groups all at one time. The level changes and walls restrict surveillance and fow throughout the reserve however. Play equipment in the reserve generally looks tired and old. With renewal funding available for the playground, opportunities exists to replace the play equipment with something unique to the Arch Hill community. 2.8 Site specifc analysis - play spaces 12 15 Image 12, Concrete block retaining wall (#7 ref map), Auckland Council, 2013 Image 13, Ball wall (#8 ref map), Auckland Council, 2013 Image 14, Playground (#9 ref map), Auckland Council, 2013 Image 15, Basketball court (#10 ref map), Auckland Council, 2013 16 18 17 Site photos 2.9 Site specifc analysis - vegetation Image 16, Vegetation - agapanthus (#11 ref map), Auckland Council, 2013 Image 17, Vegetation - ivy (#12 ref map), Auckland Council, 2013 Image 18, Vegetation - small trees (#13 ref map), Auckland Council, 2013 Image 19, Vegetation - small trees (#14 ref map), Auckland Council, 2013 16 19 Vegetation A number of weed species exist within Home Street Reserve including ivy, agapanthus and privet. These weeds all appear on the Auckland Council surveillance pest plant list, identifed as species that have signifcant impacts on the biosecurity values of the Auckland region. Accordingly these species should be removed as recommended by Council. A number of mature specimen trees exist within the reserve and should be protected for the shade and amenity that they provide. There are two very small patches of lawn within this reserve, offering limited recreational opportunities and amenity value.
3.0 Concept plan Home Street Reserve - Concept Plan Report 18 3.1 Concept plan Concept Design One NO: A. REV: SK 01 DRAWING NO: DECEMBER 2013: 1:250 @A1: ISSUED FOR DRAFT: REVIEWED BY DW DRAWN BY AW DESIGNED BY AW DRAWING TITLE: HOME RESERVE Waitemata Local Board PROJECT NAME: REVISION: BY: APPR: DATE: A: IF IN D O U B T , C O N T A C T T H E D E S IG N E R RU N 1 2 2 3 5 4 1 6 3 4 5 6 7 8 JUM P HOP SKIP FOLLOW FO LLO W T I P T O E Asphalt /coloured concrete Exposed aggregate concrete Shrubs and groundcovers Safety surfacing / bark mulch Timber edging / seating Retaining walls Painted timber cladding Existing specimen tree Proposed fruit tree LEGEND: Scale: 1:500 @ A3 N H O M E S T R E E T K I N G
S T R E E T 9 2 3 4 14 15 11 12 13 5 6 1 8 7 10 Reconfgure park entrance Timber clad concrete crib wall Proposed fruit trees Footpath and seating Artwork applied to utility box Retain existing seating Retain existing park entrance Retain tree, remove agapanthus and replant Raised basketball court Low retaining wall / seating Proposed conventional play area Create playhouse/hut play area Proposed seat Proposed swing within garden bed Proposed garden with native shrubs and groundcovers 1 12 13 14 15 7 5 10 4 9 2 8 6 11 3 Auckland Council Home Street Reserve Concept Plan | 19 Introduction The Concept Plans shows possibilities for the development/renewal of Home Street Reserve. The Concept Plan is a long term vision for the park, and works could be staged as funding becomes available. The landscape elements outlined below relate to the numbers on the concept plan. Concept plan elements - Reconfguration of the park entrance. The entrance would still enable vehicles to turnaround within the park, but be repaved using a combination of dark concrete and light concrete. The proposed paving would blur the boundary of the road and footpath, making the area appear less like a road, to discourage vehicles from parking in this area. The decorative paving would also provide an interesting and attractive park entrance - Cladding the concrete crib wall with timber. As discussed previously, the concrete crib wall appears to be structurally sound, but looks tired and poorly maintained. Cladding the wall would lift the reserve visually, without incurring the cost of replacing the wall. The retaining wall needs a safety barrier at the road level. This concept suggests that the retaining wall be completely clad with timber, with sections of the timber projecting above the wall to form the safety barrier. The projection of the timber cladding to form the safety barrier would link the reserve to the street environment, creating interest and highlighting the reserve. It is proposed that the timber be painted by the community, giving the reserve a sense of place specifc to the community in which it sits. - Creating a street garden of fruit trees within the Home Street carriageway. The street garden would provide visual amenity and link the reserve to the street environment. - Creating a footpath connection across Home Street. The paving pattern could start to refect the paving proposed at the entrance to the reserve, connecting the two spaces. Sections of the paving could be extruded to form seating and a vehicle barrier. - Covering the utility box in artwork. The utility box sits within the most visible part of the park, and artwork could add interest to the area and give clues/information on the reserve that sits below. - Retain the existing seating area that overlooks the reserve. - Retention of King Street entrance and path. Some minor works maybe required to tie into proposed new level of the basketball court . - Removal of weed species on the reserve and replanting with appropriate low shrubs and groundcovers. Retain existing tree. 3.2 Concept plan elements 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 Image 21, Paving, Auckland Council Image 22, Birkenhead Library, Auckland Council Image 23, Community painting project, http://www.lakeshorelearning.com Image 24, Community painting project, http://www.tylerlynchpc.com Image 25, Painted fence, http://www.tonbridgefencing.co.uk Image 26, Painted fence, http://www.rhs.org.uk 20 - Lifting the level of the existing basketball court and hoop. Lifting the level would increase the visibility of the reserve from the surrounding roads. The current rooms of play spaces could also be better linked and connected. This would require a small retaining wall along the southern boundary of the reserve. The playability of the basketball court could be increased with the additional games painted onto the asphalt surface. - Low retaining wall that provides seating. - Replacement multi- activity equipment, climbing handles and ladder attached to the timber clad retaining wall. - Play equipment that is unique to Arch Hill. It is proposed that play equipment that refects the architecture of Arch Hill be installed within the reserve. The play equipment concept includes movable parts and objects that form a hut/shelter. This idea is based on a book published by a former Auckland Major, Henry Brett, Bretts Colonist Guide and Cyclopedia of Useful Knowledge. which included guidance and instruction for building your own cottage. - Park bench overlooking playground - Swing with bark mulch cushion fall set within garden bed - Removing grass from the reserve and replacing it with low growing shrubs and groundcovers. As discussed in section 2.9, the lawn affords few recreational opportunities and amenity values. Removing the lawn would decrease the need for regular maintenance. The right selection of species here would lift the overall amenity and provide habitats for insects and bugs. 3.2 Concept plan elements continued Image 27, Fencing, Auckland Council Image 28, Basketball fence, http://fickr.com Image 29, Brett Colonist Guide housing, http://www.keithandsandy.co.nz Image 30, Arch Hill house, Auckland Council, 2013 Image 31, Bush hut, http://www.wildsweden.com Image 32, Blanket hut, http://www.pinterest.com 9 10 11 13 12 14 15 Auckland Council Home Street Reserve Concept Plan | 21 3.0 Artists Impression Home Street Reserve - Concept Plan Report 22 Auckland Council Home Street Reserve Concept Plan | 23