Welcome to the Myers Park, Auckland!

Creation of the Myers park: Inaugurated in year 1915, the initial space was polluted stream which was following the Queen street river. By the
late 1880’s measures for the city beautification were taken by the City engineer Mr. Ligar. In the following years, the canal was covered by a
structure of bricks giving it an underground design4. Myer Park has been designed on the final portions of the canal which were put
underground till the year 1905. The upper part of the canal was finalized by the year 1914. Eventually the park had opened its door to the public
in the year 1915.
Park design: The park is built in a narrow space which is parallel situated to the upper Queen street of New Zealand. The structure of the park
comprises of a slope and high points covered in deep grass. The park features a variety of exotic and native trees. The ancient palm trees
which are huge make a considerable part of the botanical landscape of the park5. The park is decorated with sitting benches, playgrounds and
statues of cultural relevance. One of the prominent featured artworks include the copy of Michelangelo’s sitting Moses statue. The cumulative
spread of the park is measured as 2.4ha².
The park today: The park has been subject to maintenance and structural changes since its inception. In the year 2015 the primary phase of
park’s redevelopment had been completed. The next phase of redevelopment includes changes in Mayoral Drive/Queen St entrance, Mayoral
Drive/Greys Ave entrance, Mayoral Drive underpass, Queen St entrance seating. Randall’s - a caretaker’s cottage was present in the yearly
days of the park. However, the building has not been subject to any restoration and maintenance efforts till present. The deteriorated state of
the building draws one of the biggest changes between the modern and earlier days’ picture of the park.

The space depicted in the photograph is of the Myer’s Kindergarten

facility for the unprivileged families of the neighborhoods. The building
was constructed through donations presented from Myer. The building
was considered a philanthropic effort for bring a positive change to the
financially impoverished families. First floor of building was made out to
be kindergarten facility while the upper floor was designed as a school for
the needy segments. The facility was officially opened on the 15th
November, 1916 by the then Governor General Lord Liverpool.

(Photographed by William Price, 1916) 1

The current function of the building is controlled by the Auckland

Kindergarten Association. The following association has abolished
the free Kindergarten services. Instead, the building is home to a
play care facility within the park. The play care facility named as
Myers Play care center now hosts children who are accompanying
elders visiting the park. The school has also been abolished and
the current day occupants have established their offices on the
upper floor. The facility supports learning of children between ages
of 3 months and 5 years. The lush green surroundings of the park
provide a serene heaven for the development of the children.

(Photographed by Ingoflson, 2006)2

The Myers Playground is an attractive inner city playground with a

variety of leisure swings and activities for the children. The park
features swings, monkey bars, slides and water splash pads that
have been recently added by Waite Mata Local Board3. The
playground also entertains the children through oversized sculptures
of birds and animals for climbing purposes. The giant baskets also
serve as an entertaining and energetic activity suited for young
children. The entire park is engulfed in greenery which provides a
fresh environment for the children.

(Auckland for kids, 2018)3

REFERENCES
(1)
AEC - Architecture of Early Childhood. http://www.architectureofearlychildhood.com/2011/04/ (accessed 2023-04-14).
‌(2)
Heritage Newzealand. Welcome to Heritage New Zealand. Welcome to Heritage New Zealand.
https://www.heritage.org.nz/list-details/7008/7008 (accessed 2023-04-14).
(3)
Auckland for kids. Myers Park Playground. Auckland for Kids. https://www.aucklandforkids.co.nz/playgrounds/myers-park-playground/
(accessed 2023-04-14).
(4)
AKL. Myers Park. Myers Park. http://heritageetal.blogspot.com/2015/02/myers-park.html.
(5)
Edward, T. Karangahape Road. www.karangahaperoad.com. https://www.karangahaperoad.com/myers-park-designer (accessed 2023-04-14).