MEDIA RELEASE
3 June 2005

Newmarket Park gets jazzed up

The newly upgraded Newmarket Park will play host to Jazz in the Park on Saturday 18 June from 11am until 2pm.

There will be live music from the Preservation Dixie Trio, a sausage sizzle and kids entertainment. An official opening of the park will take place at midday.

A million-dollar, two-year facelift of the park, one of Auckland's best-kept secrets, was completed in August 2004.

The park underwent major remedial earthworks and its drainage systems were overhauled. A new entrance from Ayr Street frames the major landscaping work, while one of the centrepieces is a funky new play equipment for children.

In addition, car parking, toilets, a basketball half-court and the pond were also improved in the upgrade.

Auckland City Parks Officer Grant Muir says the redevelopment of Newmarket Park was a key priority for improving open spaces in the area.

“Newmarket Park is an unspoilt park located in an otherwise busy suburb. We’re really pleased with the results and invite the community to join us at the official opening,” he says.

Newmarket Park, which is bounded by Parnell Road, Ayr Street and Bassett Road, was originally developed in the 1930s, but is probably best remembered as one of Auckland's key soccer venues through the 1960s and 1970s. However, a landslip in 1979 carried away a grandstand and put an end to football at the park.

The redevelopment of the park was paid for by Auckland City Council and the Hobson Community Board.

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