Seeing Green Grass Again Causes Jafas To Get Excited

After two years without one blade of grass in the whole of Newmarket, Lumsden Green will be officially re-opened today at 3pm by Auckland City Mayor John Banks.

"Newmarket has green grass again – something the area hasn’t had for two years. We’re surprisingly quite excited about seeing grass again. Amazing when you consider we live in New Zealand,” says Cameron Brewer, chief executive of the Newmarket Business Association.

“The redevelopment of Lumsden Green has been a long time coming but we are thrilled with the results. It's now a real focal point for people to meet, relax, and enjoy the sunshine as well as offering some great alfresco dining options. It's effectively Newmarket’s town square and will be a great place to hold community events. Lumsden Green is now worthy of its namesake, David Lumsden - the last Mayor of Newmarket from 1974 -89.”

The Lumsden Green re-opening marks the end of a two-year Auckland City Council $10 million storm-water upgrade and redevelopment project of the area to mitigate flooding and create an urban oasis in central Newmarket.

The Mayor will also open neighbouring Osborne Street today which has received a $1.67 million upgrade.

"Osborne Street is one of the trendiest streets in Auckland at the moment. All the improvements including the wider Bluestone footpaths really show off the likes of the old Hayes building and the former Kent's Bakery. It's truly a boutique back-lane with some great business on it. We're going to add some fabulous public artwork to Osborne Street in the coming months," says Cameron Brewer.

Also happening in Newmarket today is a community open day beneath the Newmarket motorway viaduct which is currently being replaced by the NZ Transport Agency. A street market on Mahuru Street will be open at 9am, and live entertainment will include a special free concert by Auckland band The Earlybirds at 1pm. As well as learning more about the $215million project, there will also be a unique opportunity for people to sign their name inside one of bridge segments.

“We’ve got so much to celebrate in Newmarket. The place has never looked better. Nearly half a billion dollars has been committed to Newmarket’s public infrastructure in recent years when you include our street, park, rail, and bus corridor upgrades, and the motorway viaduct replacement. When the economy starts rolling again, Newmarket will be well placed to respond,” says Cameron Brewer.

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