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Phillipstown is a mixed demographic area containing residential, industrial and commercial activity. Recent years have seen an increase of infill housing due to inner city gentrification, and the predominance of townhouse-style residential apartment blocks.
Residents have been complaining about the limited availability of green spaces and tree canopy especially in the main roads such as Ferry Rd, Tuam St, St Asaph St, Bordesley street. The feeling that Phillipstown is a concrete jungle increased in the 2020-2021 when the lockdowns imposed by the COVID-19 pandemic, when physical exercise was allowed o in an outdoor place that was readily accessed from home.
Phillipstown has a number of pocket parks that make our neighbourhood more pleasant and colourful: Cross Street and Olliviers Reserve, Edmonds Factory Gardens, Welcome Rest just to name a few.
Residents have been complaining about the limited availability of green spaces and tree canopy especially in the main roads such as Ferry Rd, Tuam St, St Asaph St, Bordesley street. The feeling that Phillipstown is a concrete jungle increased in the 2020-2021 when the lockdowns imposed by the COVID-19 pandemic, when physical exercise was allowed o in an outdoor place that was readily accessed from home.
Phillipstown has a number of pocket parks that make our neighbourhood more pleasant and colourful: Cross Street and Olliviers Reserve, Edmonds Factory Gardens, Welcome Rest just to name a few.
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Welcome Rest - a small green space on the corner between Tuam St and Ferry Rd. The total area covers 209 square metres and its perimeter is 61 metres.
While the origin of the name remains unknown, what is known is that this site was once a dairy and was converted to a park a number of years ago. Initially, the little park was often used for antisocial behaviour which represented a worry for Heath, the owner of a neighbouring property when his daughter came to live with him: the park was often used, during the night, for drinking and drug use and the giant flax bush had become a sort of outdoor urinal. Gerard, a very long-term resident of Phillipstown, jumped on board and supported Heath's idea of improving the area. They started planting some roses to stop people gaining access to the flax bush. And it worked. Heath and his daughter helped Gerard with watering and weeding till they moved from the area in 2017, while Gerard, with support from neighbours and friends as needed, has been maintaining the park area since then. Over the years, he has added flower plants, seedlings, bulbs and bushes. |
Recently Gerard got in touch with the community board in order to have, at last, a sign recognising the name of the little green area.
On the 2nd June 20022 the sign was finally placed on Welcome Rest. It is time now for a small ceremony to celebrate the park and the amazing commitment and effort that Gerard has given for all these years. Come and celebrate this example of a great community spirit!
On the 2nd June 20022 the sign was finally placed on Welcome Rest. It is time now for a small ceremony to celebrate the park and the amazing commitment and effort that Gerard has given for all these years. Come and celebrate this example of a great community spirit!
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Essex Reserve - a small green space on the corner between Tuam St and Stanmore Road.
We organised on 9th July a working bee to take care of that little piece of land, clean it up and beautify it. The working involved cleaning, tidying up, planting trees and colourful bushes, and laughing & chatting! A light refreshment was provided thanks to the support from Kainga Ora and Duncan Webb. Eighteen people and three children attended the working bee, including two members of the Phillipstown Neighbourhood Policing team and one ranger from Council. The CDHB was present with the Jabber Waka for people to have their COVID, RRM and flu vaccination. |
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Cross Reserve (or Phillips Reserve?) - a pocket park on the corner between Cross Street and Nursery Rd. The total area covers 3,783 square metres and its perimeter is 246 metres.
Cross Reserve is described as a "local park with block wall, multi-play structure, see - saw, slides, spring mounted play items & swings". The park is quite old and needs upgrade, the bushes in the park are wild and are a concern for the safety of people using the park and the trees, while providing a nice canopy, are overgrown and need pruning. The park is well used by the local community but there is a concern about the lack of a path and basic maintenance by Council. On the 30 July 2022, a preliminary engagement with the local community collected a number of feedback for its improvement. They suggested an update to the playground which has been the same for decades. The wooden components are covered in mould making the surfaces slippery and creating an H&S issue. |
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Turf would be a better solution rather than mulch and it was suggested that the area of the playground can be extended. A new playground does not need to be expensive or flash, it has to allow kids to use their imagination and creativity. An interactive track among the tress and the vegetation bordering the park would be amazing. Some children expressed the desire for equipment/games for older kids, such as a flying fox.
A outdoor gym equipment for all ages would be appreciated as weel. Some equipment to allow social gathering, such as picnic tables and BBQs, were also suggested. There are some benches in the park, but it would be ideal that seats are arranges in a way to promote and implement socialisation (seats facing each other...). A path is essential. The lack of it makes it difficult, and messy, to use the park after it rained. Residents expressed the desire for lighting, rubbish bins, park signage, murals on the fencing around the park and more maintenance. |
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In relation to safety in the park, it was raised that the overgrown bushes represent an H&S issue and they need either to be pruned or moved toward the fence. It was suggested that Ferry Road and Cross street have the speed limits reduced to 30km/h and that speed bumps are implemented to stop racing. In general, residents asked for a Community Conversation to be organised at the Phillipstown Hub with the PNPT to talk about park safety issues.
Below some photos of the park's current conditions:
Below some photos of the park's current conditions:
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