Auckland Council replaces derelict tennis courts with green open space

Following the closure of Auckland’s Mt Roskill Tennis Club, the courts at Arthur Faulkner Park slowly became an eyesore - occupying much of the reserve space.

Auckland Council recognises that while tennis is a great game –there’s not much use or fun in tennis courts when they’re in an unusable and derelict state.

To remedy the poor state of the courts – and to unlock the prime real estate at the reserve – the Puketāpapa Local Board funded an upgrade to remove the old tennis courts, expanding Arthur Faulkner Park with additional green space to get better use of the site.

Firstly, the fencing was removed, with more than 1300metre2 of asphalt recycled.

Then topsoil was added so there’s more grass, and new open spaces for the community to enjoy, after a five-month renovation.

Chair Ella Kumar says it’s always rewarding to open up more community areas and make Puketāpapa more accessible noting “we want all our residents to enjoy the many parks and facilities Auckland Council manages, and it’s pleasing we could step in and play a role in removing the old courts and opening up the space for wider community use of Arthur Faulker Park for everyone to enjoy.”

Images from top: derelict tennis courts at Arthur Faulkner Park; removal of courts; new open spaces. Credit: Auckland Council