Gribblehirst Park

ADDRESS DETAILS:
The main entrance is at 225 Sandringham Rd and Cabbage Tree Swamp Drive winds through the park from Sandringham Road to 51 Aroha Avenue.

ACCESS:
Car access is via Cabbage Tree Swamp Drive which runs from Sandringham Rd to Aroha Avenue. In addition to the road, there are also many paths and open spaces to walk into the park, including the path at the end of Begbie Place, the path down from Kenneth Avenue, or the one up from the end of Thanet Avenue. The access from Sandringham Road is reasonably flat and even. The paths are more hilly and less accessible.

DESCRIPTION:
Gribblehirst Park is large at 5.6 hectares, and has a surprisingly large and varied number of features and uses. Its beautiful mature trees are notable – including several huge ginkgoes which are spectacular in autumn.

Facing Sandringham Rd is a well-used rugby field, with a hybrid surface – grass + a reinforcing layer beneath – to enable this urban field to take more wear. Directly behind the field are the facilities of the Eden Rugby Club.

On the north side of Cabbage Tree Swamp Drive is the very popular, spacious children’s playground and behind it green space leading uphill to Kenneth Avenue. The playground includes a flying fox, as well as a BBQ, drinking fountain, community library and ample seating. Up some steps back towards Sandringham Road, more climbing frames and a teenager Sky Swing can be found as well as a well-equipped basketball half court.

Turning past the rugby club down the fork in the road is the building housing the Gribblehirst Community Hub (up the external stairs) and the Auckland Central Community Shed on the ground floor. The building is a former bowling club, and the old greens (the Commons) house the Tumeke Cycle Space - for community bike repair - and a garden developed by Morningside Urban Market Garden. Just beyond this is a flat area used for pétanque. Members of the public are free to walk through this area. The most surprising feature of the park is a small area of lava-flow rock forest, which is accessed from the carpark adjacent to the Hub/Shed building. A set of almost-hidden steps lead up into a tiny pocket of untouched New Zealand bush. This pristine area is not visible to the outside so care needs to be taken.

Turning back towards the main route through the park - opposite the rugby club - is a circular seating area with a central table. This has been a fascinating feature with information about the park on the surface of the table but is now in poor repair.

Cabbage Tree Swamp Drive leads up to Aroha Ave past a formal 1950s-style rose garden. A quick left-right turn then leads to Morningside Drive and the entrance to St Luke’s Mall.

TOPOGRAPHY:
Much of the park is level, with a steeply contoured hill all around three sides of the flat area. The Hub/Shed/ area is surrounded by volcanic rock walls and is very sheltered.

FEATURES:
There is new toilet block adjacent to the playground area, with a drinking fountain nearby. There is also a public gas BBQ next to the large playground.

PLAYGROUND FEATURES:
On the hill near the playground is a very popular flying fox. The playground itself is modern, with see saws, carousel, swings – including a basket swing – and an enclosed slide. On the Sandringham Road side of the playground another covered slide that runs down a hill is accessed by steps on the side, which also lead up to yet another large playground area of climbing nets. This area includes a fantastic sky swing which swings and rotates and is great for teenagers. Just below this is the basketball half court. The playground caters to preschoolers up to teenagers.

RECOMMENDED FOR:
The park’s many features serve a wide audience and it is great for just about anything! Sports, picnics, getting involved in your community, a lovely stroll in ancient forest or wide grassy spaces - fun for young and old.