A Green Flag Award winner. That’s Parrs Park for you. Nestled in Oratia West Auckland Parrs Park boasts a rich history. It began as ancestral land of Te Kawerau a Maki. Then in 1855 the Parrs a pioneering Pakeha family acquired a large section. Over time the property was divided. In 1966 a portion became Parrs Park purchased by the Waitemata County Council.
Initially there was discussion on its development. Plans included 15 sports fields for football cricket athletics and softball. Facilities for bowls tennis basketball and croquet were also proposed. By June 1968 the council terminated existing leases. They wanted to attract tenders for development. A letter to the local newspaper in 1969 clarified that women bowlers were welcome. There was plenty of room for them in Parrs Park.
Development of the sports complex was estimated to cost 2 million dollars in 1972. The project was done in stages. By 1974 progress was good. The council aimed for completion by 1978. Playing fields a large car park and a children’s play area were planned. The Hoani Waititi Marae was under construction. The Waitemata Table Tennis and Oratia Bowling clubs also showed interest.
Parrs Park was under Waitakere City Council from 1989 to 2010. Then it became part of the Waitakere Ward under the merged Auckland Council. The Hoani Waititi Marae developed a tertiary institute. A Reserve Management Plan was also created for Parrs Park. In 2009 funding secured a full-sized artificial turf. This increased playing hours and field capacity. An ambitious 20 million dollar combined aquatic and ice centre was also planned for 2012.
Parrs Park’s location at the joining of Waikumete and Oratia Streams is important. It’s part of Project Twin Streams. This community-led initiative aims to restore local streams. This includes the section running through Parrs Park. The park hosts numerous sports clubs and cultural organisations. It’s a significant community hub. It’s not just fields and facilities. It’s a place for people to connect with their community and their culture. This continues the legacy of the park. It’s a place built by and for the community. Parrs Park received an international Green Flag Award in 2018. This reflects its excellent standards and community involvement. The park continues to grow and evolve. It remains a vital part of West Auckland.