Basque Park; Day 25

The park was started in 1939, when the Auckland City Council decided to create a children's playground using land gained from closing streets, land transfers and purchases and some gifts of land. The playground was never built and the area was undeveloped until the 1950s when the surrounding area was light industrial, and workers used the area for relaxation. Although recreational facilities were proposed, like the playground they were never built.

More land in this area of Newton (previously known as Te Uru Karaka; meaning the Karaka grove for all the karaka trees in the area) was bought in the 1970s for a roading and housing project, which yet again did not proceed. Instead Council used the land to expand the park, and in 2002 major development produced a large open area, with seating, trees, landscaping and a central water feature. The five large stones of the water feature are to represent the five stars in the Southern Cross, known by Maori as Taki o Autahi.

A pleasant part of my afternoon jog