What Were the Changes? » Improved amenities
Improved Amenities
The changes made to Māngere Central as part of Te Ara Mua – Future Streets were not just street changes. A lot of effort was put into making off-road areas such as the parks and laneways more accessible, comfortable, and enjoyable to walk around. In addition, Schools and the Town Centre were identified as priority destinations for the walking network, so connections to these places were given a lot of focus. These changes are described below.
New Playground
We wanted to understand what kids liked and valued about living in, and getting around Māngere so that we could make some design changes to suit them. To do this, we talked to kids and showed them draft plans for the changes. We asked them to tell us what they thought was good and what was not so good about the suggested changes.
The children were also able to create their own playground in Windrush Reserve. Those who took part in the planning process left their handprints in the concrete. To find out more about what children thought of the Te Ara Mua – Future Streets changes, click here.
Picnic Table
Distance Markers
Information Signs
Maps and information signs were installed around the Community Trail and entrances to the Town Centre (see map). They inform people about the sites of significance in the area. Sites include marae [meeting grounds], places of education, and maunga [mountains].
Lighting
Previously, Windrush Close, Windrush Reserve, and the Waddon Place walkway had very little lighting, so at night-time these places were very dark. Many residents felt frightened or uncomfortable walking in these areas in the early mornings, evenings, and night-time due to personal safety concerns.
However, these reserves and walkways are important connections for people wanting to access the Town Centre from their homes and no one should feel unsafe in their community. To help make it safer, lighting was installed.
Improved Access for All
An important aim of Te Ara Mua – Future Streets was to encourage the community to get out and walk or wheel because it is a lot healthier than driving.
Changes to make walking and wheeling more comfortable and safer included: the creation of the 2km Community Trail, wider and smoother footpaths, raised zebra crossings, and the removal of barriers at the entrances to walkways.
These changes have provided people with better access from their homes to central areas in the Town Centre. The removal of some barriers at the entrance to lanes and paths means that people using wheelchairs or mobility scooters can now access more areas and be more independent click here for more details.
Now, people can walk more easily as a group on the footpaths and Community Trail. Older people in particular benefit from the smoother footpath surfaces. For people pushing prams, trolleys, wheelchairs, or using frames, the raised zebra crossings mean that the footpath height is constant and they no longer need to navigate the step of the curb. If you would like to get out on the Community Trail, there are many groups you can join.
Even the concrete separations of the bike lanes have improved the confidence and safety of some people as they get around. For example, residents of Hillcrest Hospital say they frequently ride their mobility scooters in the bike lanes because they are smooth and protected from traffic. In addition, the barriers of the bike lanes makes pedestrians, particularly those walking with young children, feel safer because there is more of a barrier between them and the traffic.