Dickey Reserve is an open space that I live very near to. It has a walkway through it that leads up to the main road from two cul-de-sac streets, for which otherwise, you would have to walk all around for both streets to get to the main road that offers bus services into town and other key locations. However, the entire reserve was formerly run down and regarded as a “dodgy” unsafe area for years, due to rumours of theft, rowdy people lingering around, and it being so invisible with no proper lighting and views of open streets. Therefore it had never been used by the people around it as a space to enjoy or pass through as a shortcut to the main road, defeating its entire purpose of being a public space provision by the Auckland City Council (last year).
These were the views that remained when I lived near the area, but now as I live on one of the streets that is the cul-de-sac, I find it much more convenient to take the walkway up to the bus stop on the main road to get to University every day. Although, this is only because at the end of last year the Council decided to take some action, to upgrade the amenity and aesthetic values of the reserve, after many concerned voices heard by locals. The area is now much more pleasant to walk through, and the numbers of people that use it, especially on a sunny day, are gradually increasing, as people’s perspectives of the park, like mine, are changing. Prior to this, I wouldn’t dare walk through the reserve by myself!
Dickey Reserve today! : Google Maps screenshot, 2011.
It is important for people to feel safe in the areas they live in, and they have a right to use public spaces around them. The Dickey Reserve upgrades included:
It is important for people to feel safe in the areas they live in, and they have a right to use public spaces around them. The Dickey Reserve upgrades included:
- · More open views of the space to neighbouring streets and houses
- · Brand new playground equipment for local children
- · New lighting in increased numbers
- · Newly laid down pathways around the park leading to the streets and walkway
- · New rubbish bins
- · New public picnic benches
These ‘gifts’ together gave the whole reserve a much more inviting and friendly look as opposed to the “shady” and avoided area of wasted space it once was. I began walking through the park as soon as I noticed these upgrades completed last year and enjoy walking through the refreshing reserve today. I feel safe using the walkway as there are always children and families at the playground and I can see the surrounding houses. Dickey Reserve is now a green space asset to the local area. I hardly ever walk up my street!
