“Ever noticed how this seemingly simple bay holds layers of history?” I ask you all. Welcome to Cox’s Bay Reserve. This is more than just a park. It’s a place where the past whispers through the sports fields and walking trails.
Coxs Bay or Opoututeka as it was originally known has a rich history. It was once a vital area for multiple iwi. They valued it for its wetlands, food sources, and flax. Imagine them harvesting flax in the gully. They processed it and dried it on the north-facing hills of Herne Bay.
The first European land purchase around Coxs Bay happened in 1840. Opoutukeha or Coxs Creek marked the western boundary. In 1841, John and Jane Cox got a squatter’s license. That is how the bay got its European name. They built a home and started a market garden.
By 1859, the area called Richmond was subdivided. Logs for early houses were floated up Coxs Creek. They pit-sawed them on site. Industry boomed here from 1860. The Willesden Works made pesticides and fertilizer. In 1865, John Leckie built the Caledonian Brickworks. Bricks were shipped to Auckland via Coxs Creek.
The Warnock brothers set up their soap and candle works in 1874. It was right next to Coxs Creek. In 1899, the Cashmore Brothers built a steam-powered sawmill. It was beside the creek. The bay and creek transported logs and timber. The mill finally burned down in 1920.
The bridge over Coxs Creek is an important landmark. It first appeared in 1881. It was rebuilt in 1886. The Hawke Scout Hall built in the late 1920s is still an important part of the community.
In 1938, a landslide dumped tons of earth onto the road and bridge. Flooding in January 2023 caused more landslides. A fallen tree closed West End Road.
Today Coxs Bay is a large park. It has sports fields for rugby and cricket. You can enjoy several walking trails through its 14 hectares.
Unfortunately, Coxs Bay isn’t suitable for swimming or fishing now. This is due to poor water quality. There is a permanent no-swim notice. Wastewater spills are frequent. But there is hope. A project aims to make the bay swimmable again by 2030.
You can find people camping here. Freedom camping is allowed for self-contained vehicles. A serene environment spans 14 hectares. It provides habitats for native wildlife.
Cox’s Bay Reserve is strategically located in Westmere. This location provides scenic views of the Waitematā Harbour and the Sky Tower. The park features multiple wheelchair-accessible entrances and parking lots. Well-maintained pathways and trails are suitable for walking and cycling.
Visitors to Cox’s Bay Reserve find a comprehensive range of facilities. These include picnic tables, benches, and BBQ facilities. A children’s playground features slides and swings in a fully fenced area. The park boasts sports fields, a tennis court, and outdoor fitness equipment.
Remember as you enjoy Cox’s Bay Reserve. You are walking on layers of history. From its importance to the iwi to its industrial past. Coxs Bay continues to evolve. It balances recreation with respect for its natural and cultural heritage. Take a moment to appreciate this blend.