A new playground built for all ages and abilities is coming to Burswood Park in East Tamaki, after the Howick Local Board approved the upgrade at its June meeting.
Under a consent condition of the Eastern Busway designation, Auckland Transport must build “a new playground to cater for all abilities and ages” and provide “improved shade and/or shelter” at Burswood Park.
This work is expected to take place before Auckland Transport’s own construction can begin in the neighbouring Burswood Esplanade Reserve.
Botany representative and Board member Damian Light has backed the project, calling the approval “great news for Burswood”.
“This will be funded by the Eastern Busway project, as part of the compensation for the impacts of property acquisition and construction.
“While the Howick Local Board opposed the diversion of the busway through Burswood, the new route was granted approval.”
Light said the approved design “delivers on this condition, as well as the public consultation with the local community completed in December 2024”.
That consultation drew 82 responses to a questionnaire.
Residents’ top priorities, in order, were more shade and shelter, more space for children to play, a multi-use court for activities such as tai chi, dancing, badminton, pickleball and table tennis, more seating, and more trees and planting.
The new playground will cater for children up to age eight, with a new area for nine to 12-year-olds, and the Board’s report says staff will also look at adding a basketball half-court, high swings and overhead climbing.
A demountable shade structure will cover the youngest children’s play area, alongside extra planting.
The design was developed with mana whenua, and will include artwork reflecting the Eastern Busway cultural story.
Nine park trees will be affected: one titoki with low long-term viability will be removed and replaced, while three pohutukawa transplanted from Ti Rakau Drive will be planted at the park.
The construction cost falls entirely on Auckland Transport, with the Council responsible only for maintenance once the playground is handed over.
The playground will stay open through the school holidays and close on 27 July for the upgrade.
Light said the work is expected to take about 10 to 12 weeks, weather permitting, though the Board’s own report estimated 16 to 20 weeks.
A temporary path will keep pedestrian links open between Burswood Drive, Brompton Place and Fernbrook Close while the work is under way.
The Board expects Burswood Park to be used far more heavily as housing density and busway-driven growth increase in the area.
