13 February 2006

Be part of Monte Cecilia Park's bigger picture

Auckland City invites the public to pack a picnic and attend an afternoon of entertainment, displays and tours at Hillsborough's Monte Cecilia Park on Sunday 26 February.

The aim of the afternoon is to give people the chance to experience all that Auckland's new premier park has to offer and to encourage their ideas about its future development.

There will also be a chance for visitors to register their interest in being involved in workshops, to be held in March, to discuss the park's future in more detail.

The workshops are the first step of consultation on a masterplan, which will guide the future development and management of the Monte Cecilia Park. More consultation later in the year, once a draft masterplan has been created, will ask the wider community for feedback on what is proposed.

Auckland City landscape architect, Helen Kerr, says "Monte Cecilia already has much on offer including one of Auckland's grandest old homesteads, magnificent grounds, spectacular views and a rich cultural history. It's also a great film location - Monte Cecilia House and grounds were used to film house scenes and the grounds of the country mansion in the recently released movie Narnia. "We want people to experience it all first-hand and get involved in the next stage of the consultation - the workshops in March. By participating they can play their part in developing Monte Cecilia to the standard of Albert Park, Cornwall Park and the Auckland Domain for locals and the wider community to enjoy in future years."

Details of the afternoon:

Date: Sunday, 26 February Time: 2pm - 6pm Venue: Monte Cecilia Park (located between Mt Albert, Hillsborough, Korma and Herd Roads), Hillsborough, Auckland Programme: 2pm - 4pm Children's and family activities including a Narnia treasure hunt.

Heritage and tree tours, storytelling on the verandah and 'tea' on the lawn with a string quartet 4pm - 6pm Jazz in the park and local performers All afternoon Tours and displays Book of memories about the park Filming to capture people's ideas and impressions

Members of Auckland City's project team will be on hand throughout the afternoon to answer questions.

Monte Cecilia Park was officially renamed after the founder of the Sisters of Mercy (Mother Mary Cecilia Maher) in September 2004. Mother Mary Cecilia Maher, along with the Roman Catholic Bishop, purchased the homestead in 1913 to serve as an orphanage and school.

ENDS

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