Bit of land put to use
By IMOGEN NEALE - Papakura Courier
STANDING IN THE GATEWAY: Papakura council communications adviser Mark Baker and councillor Peter Jones survey the new Wood St entrance to Central Park.
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In six months time Railway St West will no longer be one street with two dead ends.
Last month the Papakura District Council bought a vacant piece of land on the corner of Wood St and Railway St West.
The oak-studded lot has been used by the Papakura police station as a staff carpark.
But the recent aquisition for $1.88 million means the council can level the old bus depot, reconnect Railway St West's two halves and create a new entrance to Central Park. Council strategic projects manager Nicola Mochrie says the project will foster better pedestrian links between the park, its facilities and the Papakura train station.
"It's not just about a road - it's very pedestrian-focused. It will become a much more open site."
The chance to buy the privately owned 3372 square metre site was flagged in the 2009-2019 longterm community plan.
Most residents who made submissions on the opportunity supported the purchase.
Ms Mochrie says the park and roading projects are expected to be completed by April next year.
And while the designs are yet to be finalised council contractors are already busy ripping out fencing and old tree stumps.
Soil from Massey Park's sand carpet project will be used to level and prepare the front part of the site and grass seeds will be sown early next month.
