Another piece of parkland puzzle in place
December 1, 2004

People will be able to enjoy the whole of Browns Bay's beachfront reserve now that North Shore City Council has bought the last remaining private property on it.

For about 80 years - since the original bach was built on the site - the land has been off-limits to the public.

Community services and parks committee chairperson, Margaret Miles, says the slice of land has long been wanted by residents.

"Once we've cleared the site of the two houses on it there will be an uninterrupted expanse of reserve at Browns Bay beachfront that everyone can use," she says.

"The intention is to restore this land to open space as soon as possible."

The 1169 square metre site cost $2.6m.

Councillor Miles says North Shore City has been carefully negotiating for some years for various pieces of land to protect the city's green and leafy character, and provide open space for future generations.

"We have about 1200 hectares of park land at the moment, and are always looking for opportunities to extend our network," she says.

Each year North Shore City budgets $3m to buy parkland. Most recently it spent $950,000 on a cliff top Castor Bay property adjoining Kennedy Park.

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